Ruby May Westhuis

Ruby May Westhuis, 95, formerly of Waupun, died, Wednesday, July 19, 2017, at Woodlands Senior Park in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. She was born on August 29, 1921, in Cardiff, Glamorganshire, Wales, the daughter of Thomas Sidney May and Ellen Kathleen McCumiskey. She was the youngest of 9 children: Thomas Sidney, Charles, Lester, Roger, Alfred, Dorothy, Francis, and Edith, the latter four who died in early childhood/infancy during the flu epidemic of 1914 and 1915. The family resided in Portsmouth, England.

During WWII, the German Luftwaffe targeted the city of Portsmouth and its naval dockyards. Her brothers constructed a shelter in their backyard where the family slept many nights when there was heavy bombing. On one such occasion, the family exited the shelter in the morning to find the home next door completely destroyed with only their shared wall still standing.

WWII was instrumental in the meeting of Ruby’s husband to be – Andy Westhuis of Alto. She met him in a military hospital in England during his recovery from an injury he sustained while a paratrooper with the 101 ^st Airborne. They were married on April 16, 1945 in Portsmouth and honeymooned in Edinburgh, Scotland. Ruby boarded the Queen Mary in Southampton, England on March 11, 1946. After arriving in New York, she boarded a train to Wisconsin, where she was reunited with her husband.

During her marriage, Ruby kept the financial accounts for her husband’s mason contracting business. She also worked as a dietary aide for the Sisters of St. Francis (Waupun Memorial Hospital) and as a kitchen aide for the Waupun School District.

She enjoyed being a homemaker and mother, and felt happiest spending time with family and friends. Her favorite TV shows were “Murder She Wrote” with Angela Lansbury and the “Gaither Gospel Hour”. Ruby was never one to pass up a garage sale or the chance to try her luck at slot machines. She enjoyed reading, puzzles books and a good cup of coffee. All who knew Ruby were aware of her giving nature, even-temperedness, kindness and quick wit.

She is survived by her two children: Dennis (Carole) Westhuis and Shelley (Steven) Hopp; her grandchildren, Stephanie (Tim) Westhuis Hedman, Jay Westhuis, Samantha Hopp (special friend, Joe Van Egtern), Meghan Hopp (fiance, Mike Van Loo), all of Waupun, WI, and Briana Hopp (special friend, Justin Barton) of Colorado Springs, CO; and great-grandchildren, Keenan Westhuis, Ryleigh Siewert, Wyatt Van Egtern, Madelyn Johnsen and Isabella Van Loo, along with nieces, nephews and cousins.

Ruby was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Andy on May 17, 1997; and her eight siblings.

The family wishes to thank the caring staff of Woodlands Senior Park in Fond du Lac for the tender care they provided to our Mother/Grandmother. Their professionalism and skilled caregiving, gave us peace of mind, knowing she was in the best of hands. In addition, the Agnesian Hospice Hope nurses and volunteers provided warm and compassionate care we wish to express our heartfelt appreciation to all of them.

Visitation will be held at Kohls Funeral Home, 405 West Main Street, Waupun, Wisconsin on Monday, July 24, 2017 from 10:00 A.M. to 11:00 A.M., with a funeral service to follow at 11:00 A.M. with Pastor Barry Lang officiating. Burial will take place at Forest Mound Cemetery.