Ruby Wharton, 81, of Miller passed away Friday, May 12, 2023, at Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls.
Memorial service will be 10 a.m. CT, Friday, May 26, 2023, at the First United Methodist Church, in Miller with Rev. Teresa Whetsel officiating. Burial will follow at G.A.R. Cemetery, Miller. Visitation will begin at 6:00 p.m. followed by a 7:00 p.m. prayer service, Thursday, May 25, 2023, all at the church.
Ruby Ione Heinrich was born June 1, 1941 at Greeley, CO to Jacob and Lena (Delzer) Heinrich. WHen she was one year old, her family moved to Isabel. Upon graduating from high school, Ruby went to ten weeks of summer school at Black Hills State College in Spearfish and started teaching that fall. She continued to pursue her education by attending night classes and summer school and earned a degree in elementary education. She enrolled in the master program at Northern State Teacher’s College in Aberdeen in 1981 and earned her master’s degree in 1982. During this time Ruby raised her two children.
She was very involved in the community, she was a 4-H leader, sang in the choir, and was president of the Miller Education Association. After her family was raised, Ruby joined the Dakota Harmony Chorus and sang with them for 29 years. Ruby was a member of the Huron Singles group and the First United Methodist Church.
Ruby is survived by her children:
June 1, 1941 – May 12, 2023
Valerie (Tim) Zipp of Parker, CO and Chad (LaDonna) Wharton of Jamestown, ND; grandchildren: Kristopher (Jess) Wharton of Bloomington, MN, Jaren Wharton of Fargo, ND, Jett Wharton and Karston Wharton of Jamestown, and Natalie Hannah of Parker; great-grandchildren: McKenna and Hunter Hannah; siblings, Emma Ogdahl of Benton, TX, Violet Voller of Alexandria, David Heinrich of Rapid City, Arthur Heinrich of Box Elder, and Eva June (Leonard) Busse of Westminster, CO; sister-in-law, Carol Heinrich of Wisconsin; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
She was preceded in death by her parents: Jacob and Lena Heinrich; brother, Edwin Heinrich; nephew, Delbert Ogdahl; and brothers-in-law, Marvin Ogdahl and Andrew Voller.
Reck Funeral Home of Miller is in charge of arrangements.