Ruby Alice (Knuppe) Wickham 1925-2006

KNUPPE, BRAINARD, WICKHAM, KNAPP, MALCOM, SHARP, MCNALLY, FLAUCHER, WADDINGTON, SEVERSON, KOUT, THEILEN, DENNISON

Posted By: Volunteer
Date: 8/9/2006 at 21:15:05

Ruby Wickham

Ruby Alice (Knuppe) Wickham was born on October 7, 1925 in Waukon, Iowa to Edwin & Hazel (Brainard) Knuppe. Ruby was baptized and confirmed at First Lutheran Church in Decorah, IA. She attended high school in Postville, Iowa.

At the age of 6 Ruby's father passed away and Ruby lived most of the time with her grandparents, Reuben (RJJ) & Minnie Brainard. Minnie came to the United States from Germany when she was 3 years old. Reuben came to this country as a young child from England. Ruby was named for her grandfather, Reuben.

Ruby married Leo Earl Wickham on March 30, 1943 in Kahoka, Missouri. To this union 6 children were born: Marilyn, Ramona, Shirley, June, Jerry Lee and Heidi.

Earl was then called to serve his country during World War II. While he was overseas, Ruby worked in Clinton, IA, in an ammunition factory making what was needed for the troops to fight the war. After the war Ruby and Earl resided in Postville, IA. Ruby worked at the Fred Growth plant in Postville, in produce. She also worked at the egg plant there.

Ruby became a member of Decorah Lutheran Church on October 2, 1994. Ruby loved family and get-togethers. She also loved making quilts, embroidery, gardening and flowers, fishing, going camping, playing cards and dancing. She always had a very good sense of humor. Even throughout her sickness she would make those around her laugh. She liked all of the nurses and nurses aides, and enjoyed all of the residents she met at Aase Haugen Home. She greatly enjoyed all of her visits with Pastor Vik. She touched so many lives in so many ways.

Ruby died on Wednesday, June 28, 2006 at the age of 80 at the Aase Haugen Home in Decorah.

She was preceded in death by her husband Earl on April 3, 1965; her daughter, Ramona Wickham on October 7, 1945; her son Jerry Wickham on February 5, 1982; and 2 brothers, Roy Knuppe and Fredrick Knapp.

Ruby is survived by her 4 daughters: Marilyn (Ray) Malcom of Clermont, IA, Shirley (Larry) Sharp of Decorah, June (Jeff) McNally of Strawberry Point, IA and Heidi (Matt) Flaucher of Oelwein, IA; 11 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; and 2 great-great-grandchildren; her five sisters: Ruth Waddington of Cedar Rapids, Rita Severson of Waukon, Hazel Kout of Hazelton, Janice Theilen of Dubuque and Dorothy (Lou) Dennison of Savanna, IL; and her brother, Roger Knapp of Thailand.

Funeral services were held Saturday, July 1, 2006 at Decorah Lutheran Church, Decorah, Iowa

Clergy presiding were Rev. James Glesne, Rev. Bryan Robertson, and Rev. Allen Vik.

Honorary Bearers were Ray & Marilyn Malcom, Larry & Shirley Sharp, Jeff & June McNally, Matt & Heidi Flaucher, Ruth Waddington, Rita Severson, Hazel Kout, Janice Theilen, and Dorothy Dennison and all of her grandchildren.

Casket Bearers were Bradley Larson, Dan Lundtvedt, Ross Malcom, Steve Nelson, Travis Nelson, and Scott Sharp.

Interment was at Minert Cemetery, rural Postville, Iowa.

Arrangements by Fjelstul Funeral Home, Decorah, Iowa.

Postville Herald-Leader, July 12, 2006