Ruby Louretta Mathison 1921 - 2005

MATHISON, MCCORD

Posted By: Connie Swearingen- Volunteer (email)
Date: 9/4/2017 at 09:54:40

Onawa Democrat
6 July 2005

Ruby Louretta Mathison, 84, passed away on May 7, 2005 in Stevensville, Mont. She was born on April 6, 1921 in Shelby County, Iowa, to Luther "George" and Vera McCord.

Ruby was raised on a farm and attended Dunlap High School. She was editor of the school newspaper and enjoyed reading and attending local dances with her sisters. She graduated in May of 1938.

After graduation, Ruby soon met Howard Mathison. They fell in love on the dance floor and were married on September 28, 1939 in Onawa, Iowa. Howard and Ruby raised three children on various farms in the Dunlap area and eventually settled in Council Bluffs, Iowa.

Ruby then became a research librarian at Northern Natural Gas. In 1979, Howard and Ruby parted ways and Ruby continued to work for Northern, for a total of 20 years. During this time she published four research bibliographies on synthetic fuels, which were sold through the American Gas Association. She also took several courses from the University of Nebraska at Omaha. Ruby retired from Northern in 1984.

Always an avid gardener, she then took a job at Fergusen's Greenhouse in Omaha, Neb., where she worked for nine years. In 1992, Ruby wrote a 7-piece column in The Dunlap Reporter entitled, "Dunlap-My Home Town". In 2003, Ruby moved to Stevensville, Mont., to be closer to her son and his family. Though Ruby pursued many interests, her true love was her family and friends. Ruby will be remembered for her witty sense of humor and her devotion to her family.

Preceding her in death were her daughter, Eleanor Mathison and sisters, Ina Peterson, Vesta Morris and Helen Thoreson.

Survivors include her daughter, Marian Smith of Omaha, Neb.; son, Clark Mathison and wife Julie of Stevensville, Mont.; three sisters, Arletta Morse of Omaha, Neb., Virginia Campbell of Rapid City, S.D. and Carol Thompson and husband Jack of Las Vegas, Nev.; two brothers, Ron McCord and wife Dorothy of Dunlap, and Harold McCord and wife Nancy of Pisgah; five grandchildren, sixteen great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild and her beloved dog, Apollo.

The burial and service will be held on Saturday, July 9, 2005 at 10 a.m. at the Soldier Iowa Country Lutheran Church. A luncheon will follow at the Soldier Lutheran Church. Memorials can be made to the Soldier Iowa Country Lutheran Church.