Ruby Lavonne Dawson, 72

Ruby Lavonne (Stensland) Dawson, of Hayden, Idaho, passed away Nov. 3, 2015, after a long battle with cancer. Her family was by her side.

Ruby was born Aug. 19, 1943, in Park River, N.D., to Helmer and Isabelle Stensland. She attended school in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho.

Then Ruby met Bruce, but said she was never going to marry him as she said he was only her friend. But she fell in love with him and not too long after that on March 12, 1963, she married the love of her life. On her passing they had been married 52 years! They had four children.

Ruby enjoyed going on vacation with her sisters. One trip was enjoyed by all four sisters. So many memories and laughs! She also enjoyed spending summers on the Coeur d’Alene River. Ruby loved her real cats, but she had a whole house full of cat collectibles. She also had many spoon racks and cat plates that covered her walls in every room… more cat items. Ruby also loved shopping! Yard sales were her favorite where she could buy more cat items and spoons. She also had tubs of beanies which she collected. Ruby will be greatly missed by her family and two sisters, Sharon and Oatsie.

Ruby is preceded in death by her parents, two brothers, Laverne and Ronald; her sister, Kathy; and her grandchild, Stephanie Head. Ruby is survived by her husband, Bruce, at home; four children, Rose Head (Rob), David, Billy (Beth) and Elton; seven grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, two sisters and many nieces and nephews!

Ruby was so happy to take care of two of her great-grandchildren, Samantha and Cameron, who brought her so much joy while going through this difficult time. She loved to spoil them and they loved her so much!

Her grandchild, Jason Head, said it very well: “She was the whole heart of the family, family meant everything to her.”

A public visitation will be held at 9 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 7, 2015, at English Funeral Chapel in Post Falls, Idaho. A funeral service will be held immediately following and starting at 10 a.m. Ruby will be laid to rest at Pinegrove Cemetery in Rathdrum at 11:30 a.m.; a reception will follow the graveside service.

English Funeral Chapel has been entrusted with the handling of the arrangements. Please visit Ruby’s online memorial at www.englishfuneralchapel.com.