Ruby Norma Ihrke

Ruby N. Ihrke, 83, of rural St. Charles died Tuesday April 18 at St. Mary's Hospital in Rochester. Ruby was born May 21, 1922 near Lanesboro to Nelius and Randi (Johnson) Torgerson. She was confirmed at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in 1936 and graduated from Lanesboro School in 1940. After graduation she went to Rochester Vocational Nursing School to become a nurse's assistant. She worked at many different homes around the Rochester area. Ruby married Robert Ihrke, Sr. on September 2, 1950 at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Lanesboro. They moved to the St. Charles area and farmed. She spent her time raising their five boys and was a homemaker. Ruby spent her last remaining years at Whitewater Health Care Center with her husband. Her interests were gardening, cats, bowling, canning, making Norwegian cookies, selling eggs, farm life, her family, and especially her grandchildren.Ruby is survived by her husband of 55 years, Robert, Sr., 5 sons, Jerry (Mitsuko) Ihrke of Moreno Valley, CA; Duane Ihrke of Wabasha, MN; Daniel (Sharon) Ihrke of St. Charles, MN; Robert, Jr. (Sandy) Ihrke of Dover, MN; and Carl Ihrke of Plainview, MN, 11 grandchildren, Andrew, Lance, Christopher, Derek, Robert III, Judy, Junko, Nicole, Sarah, Miranda, and Samantha, one brother, Arnold Torgerson of Preston, MN, two sisters, Clenora Skartland of Winnebago, MN; and Thelma (Donald) Kohn of Preston, MN. She is preceded in death by her parents, two brothers, and one sister.The Funeral Service for Ruby will be held on Monday April 24 at 11:00 AM at Faith Lutheran Church in St. Charles with the Rev. Dr. Mark Wilms. Burial will follow at Little Valley Cemetery in rural Dover. Friends may call from 4-8 PM on Sunday at the church and also one hour prior to the service on Monday. Please share a memory of Ruby on her on-line guestbook at www.hofffuneral.com