Ruby Louise Menke, 78

Ruby Louise (Corbin) Menke, 78, passed away peacefully at the Schneidmiller Hospice House on Nov. 23, 2020. Ruby was born on Dec. 8, 1941, to Jack and Clara Corbin.

Ruby was raised by her grandparents, Hap and Margaret Blake, on their farm in Washington. Ruby grew up learning about gardening, food preservation, sewing, skating on the pond, haying, reading about interesting places, and collecting stamps from faraway places she dreamed of traveling to.

Ruby graduated as valedictorian and hoped to go to college as she loved learning. This would be postponed for 20 years as she raised her family. Ruby married Gary Menke and they have celebrated 60 years together. They welcomed a son, Mitch and a daughter, Cindy; six grandchildren: Amber, Tierra, Jackson, Isaac, Erin and Katie; and several great-grandchildren during those years.

Ruby was connected with a pen pal in grade school, a wonderful gal named Ann. Letters soon began to cross the Atlantic on a regular basis up until near her death. A highlight for Ruby was when her daughter and granddaughter accompanied her on a trip to meet Ann in England. What a wonderful time that was … to see in person and hear for the first time each other's voices as we sat in Ann's immaculate home sipping tea and eating British pastries.

Ruby worked for the Kootenai County Extension Offices for years starting 4-H clubs and pouring her time and talent into the kids of our area. One summer, Ruby set up a camp stove in City Park and taught kids to cook and about food nutrition and the importance of it. Ruby opened her home to teach cooking and food preservation to area youth. It was very common for her home to be filled with junior high and high schoolers learning to cook and having fun doing it.

Ruby did eventually earn her nursing degree from North Idaho College and took a position with Holy Family Hospital where for many years she enjoyed caring for others so much.

Helping others was a theme of Ruby's. Some ways that she served others were: VBS, MOPS, Bible Study leader, caring for people in the community, sending hundreds of cards to brighten the days of friends, making baby quilts for young mothers, sewing and making quilts for her grandchildren, bringing meals to the sick, baking cookies for the social hour at church, and making phone calls to check on those needing a listening ear.

Ruby was a fabulous cook and was known for her pies, jams, biscuits, caramel corn, and platters of Christmas cookies and fudge. Her raspberry patch was used for fruit leather, jams, pies and eating fresh and she always had some to share with the extended family.

Ruby loved to go camping, fishing and huckleberry picking. She would pack wonderful lunches in the ice chest and don her black hiking boots and red and white checkered hat, gather the family and we would head to the mountains for a whole day of gathering berries and memories.

One memory that reflects who Ruby was is of ice skating on Totten's Pond in the 1970s. On this particular day, we had our dog with us and he fell through the ice. So, this little 4-foot 10-inch lady laid down on her belly and crawled out onto the ice and got a rope around the dog's collar and we were able to pull the dog to safety.

Most weekends growing up the family would get in the car and make the trip to grandma's house about an hour away. Ruby would read us stories from the newspaper, Reader's Digest magazine, Guide Post magazine or a mystery story. If it was Christmastime, she would sing carols as we drove. Sometimes my dad listened to Johnny Cash on the 8-track all the way and Ruby would embroider quilt blocks or dish towels. Ruby was a wonderful accordion player and really enjoyed playing, as well as listening to performances at Leavenworth.

Ruby loved family, serving and people. Ruby was a loyal friend, wife and mother. She loved the Lord Jesus and it was in this faith she found peace. Ruby took great delight in her grandchildren and great-grandchildren; she was forever putting others first. Ruby was a kind person who did not voice her own needs but rather saw to the needs of those around her.

Parkinson's disease gradually took away most everything she loved to do. The family is forever grateful for Hospice of North Idaho for coming alongside the family to care for Ruby. Arin, Lisa and Donna were at the home often helping with care and encouragement. Ruby's husband, Gary, learned to cook and clean and care for his dear wife as her health failed. Gary appreciated everyone who came to visit, caring neighbors who called and stopped by to check on them.

A very special thank you to Ruby's friend, Nancy, who came to sit and visit with Ruby every single week for years or more often to help Gary sneak in a fishing day occasionally. It is rare to find a friend such as this and the whole family is so thankful for Nancy.

I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes … Romans 1:16. This truth changed Ruby's life and gave her strength. Rest in peace sweet Momma as you are now in the presence of the One who makes all things new. We will miss you until then…

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Hospice of North Idaho, 2290 W. Prairie Ave., Coeur d'Alene, ID 83815 (wwwhospiceofnorthidaho.org).

A memorial service will be held at a later date to be announced. Yates Funeral Home is entrusted with final arrangements. Please visit Ruby’s online memorial and sign her guest book at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com.