She graduated from McCool Junction High School as valedictorian, class of 1952; then attended Nebraska Wesleyan University.
Ruby married James L. Junge, who was a pilot and captain in the U.S Air Force, in 1954 and joined him on assignment in England for 3 years. Jim died in a plane crash in 1959 while on active duty. Ruby moved her family back to York, NE. She remarried and the family lived and worked on a farm north of York until 1980.
In 1987, Ruby moved from York to Lincoln, where she worked many clerical positions, including at the University of Nebraska. She married widower, John Minert, in 1989, helping in his ministry, enjoying each other’s companionship, and sharing their families.
Over the years, Ruby was an active member of Aldersgate United Methodist Church, United Methodist Women, Womans Wesleyan Educational Council, Association of Retired Ministers and Spouses, Gold Star Wives, Unit 3 American Legion Auxiliary, Eight and Forty Salon 832, and was a member of Willard Sorority. She enjoyed her family, travel, teaching Sunday School, and being a 4-H leader.
Ruby was strong and confident, overcoming many challenges in her life. She had rheumatoid arthritis for 57 years. She amazed family and friends with how much she accomplished with very limited use of her hands.
Legacy Estates was her home for 19 years. She considered the staff to be friends and welcomed many new “neighbors” through the years. She started fitness classes at the age of 70, volunteered for numerous committees and activities, and was the self-appointed, greatly appreciated, Puzzle Room “manager”.
The family is forever grateful for the extra special care that mom was given in the last week of her life by Hillcrest Firethorn.
She is survived by daughters Jolanda J. Junge, Jennifer J. (Russ) Meradith Obermier, sons J. James Junge (Patty Hand), Jeffrey J. Meradith (Kim Hirschfeld), stepdaughter Gina (Robert) Minert Egenberger, stepsons Rex (Gayle) Minert, Michael (Lori) Minert, 21 grandchildren and spouses, 17 great grandchildren, many nieces, nephews and friends. She enjoyed the continued relationships with the Junge and Minert families.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husbands Captain James L. Junge, Richard L. Meradith, and Reverend John L. Minert, and sister Evalda Galloway.
Services will be at Aldersgate United Methodist Church, 8320 South Street, Lincoln on Thursday, March 30. 2023 at 10:00 A.M. The service will be livestreamed at https://www.youtube.com/@aldersgateunitedmethodistc8463
Area friends and family are welcomed to attend graveside services on Thursday, March 30, 2023 at 3:00 P.M. at Greenwood Cemetery, York Nebraska. Refreshments will be served at the Cornerstone Ag Center on the Fairgrounds in York after the inurnment.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Aldersgate Methodist Church, United Methodist Women, or as designated by the family.