Ruby MacLean Swenson

HOFF FUNERAL AND CREMATION SERVICE - HOUSTON, MINN. 507-896-3127HOUSTON, MINN. - Ruby MacLean Swenson, 97, of Houston, Minn. died on Wednesday, October 16, 2013, at her home in Houston.Ruby was born on June 27, 1916, to Irving and Ethel (Anderson) Johnston at Swede Bottom on her great-grandmother's farm. She attended rural school through the eighth grade, finishing high school in Houston in 1932. After one year of training at Winona State College, she taught rural schools on Swede Bottom and Riceford, Minn. After completing more education, she went to Aruba, Netherlands Antilles, teaching children of employees of Lago Oil and Transport Company, a subsidiary of Standard Oil, Co., now known as Exxon Mobil. It was there that Ruby met and married Captain John MacLean; later they came to Minnesota and her teaching career ended with 20 years of teaching in Rushford, Minn., for a total of 38 years of teaching. She was a longtime member of the Houston Baptist Church. Ruby's life has been one of working with children, caring for her family, doing church and community work, loving her garden. After traveling to many places, Ruby realized the special beauty of southeast Minnesota.Ruby was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Jack MacLean in 1969, daughter, Penelope Ann in 1976, her husband, Warren S. Swenson in 1997, and her sister, Lois Christensen in 2008. She is survived by her sister Lois' children: William, Marle and Coral (Don); a brother, Ralph (Thelma) and their children: Marsha, Ruth, Steven, David (Tammy) and Susan (Jay); sister-in-law, Leah Swenson and her son, Mark (Judy); stepson Sheldon Swenson and his sons, Joshua and Aaron; a step-daughter, Connie (Jim) Peterson and their son, Sam (Liza); great-grandchildren: Christian and Lance Peterson, Austin, Julia and Charlotte Swenson, and grand nieces and nephews. Special in her life was, Laura Baumtrog, and her children, Jill and Ryan; Robert and Anne Bailey and her children, Jennifer, Jessica, Jaclyn, Jolene and Jayme; and Karen Cegelske of Lake City, Minn. There will be a funeral service for Ruby at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, October 20, at the Houston Baptist Church with the Rev. Don Range officiating. Burial will be in the Oak Grove Cemetery in Rushford, Minn. Visitation will be from 1:00 p.m. until the time of the service on Sunday at the church. Ruby's family prefers memorials to UNICEF, CARE or World Vision. Leave a memory of Ruby and sign her online guestbook at www.hofffuneral.com