Ruby B. Nelson 09/29/2026

Ruby Belle Nelson

Ruby B. Nelson age 102, of River Falls, Wis., passed away on Tuesday, September 29, 2026 at River Falls Area Hospital in River Falls.

Ruby was born August 15, 1924, in the Township of Maple Grove Osseo, Minn., to Charles Edmond and Pearl Edna (Jobes) Blakeborough. The family moved to River Falls, Wis., in 1926, where Ruby graduated from high school. On December 6,1952, she was united in marriage to Stanley Carl Nelson Prior to the birth of her two sons, Ruby was employed at River Falls State Bank and, later, Federal Land Bank in River Falls.

Ruby then settled into her role as mother and farm wife on her and Stan’s 120-acre farm between River Falls and Roberts. Ruby loved many aspects of farm life, namely mowing a large amount of lawn, feeding the cattle, gatherings with the local Homemaker’s Club, and being home to perform many other roles. A highlight of her life was the large flower garden she meticulously maintained. The love of flowers continued throughout Ruby’s life.

In 1981, she and Stan sold the farm and moved a short distance west to a hobby farm. They would reside there until Stan’s sudden death from a heart attack in August 1986. Ruby then moved to a duplex in River Falls and, after a short time, to a house on Falcon Drive in River Falls. Her brother, Larry Blakeborough moved into the house in 1999 and they would enjoy several years in the house until Larry’s passing in March 2012. Ruby lived in the house until 2014 when she moved to Wellhaven Senior Living (now Bay Harbor of River Falls), where she would reside until her death.

In addition to flowers, Ruby enjoyed a good game of cards, watching the Minnesota Twins, Wisconsin Badgers and Green Bay Packers. If a Twins or Packers game was not on television, she would listen to the games on radio.

Ruby was known for her love of kidding people and good-natured bantering with many people. Dressing well was important to her, as was maintaining a clean home. She had a great deal of energy until recent years. She mowed lawn and did much of the work preparing for a moving sale at age 90. Ruby will be remembered for her many varieties of baked pies over the years.

Ruby was preceded in death by her parents (Pearl in 1975 and Charles in 1977) and husband Stan, in 1986.

Ruby is survived by two sons, Kerry (Lorrie) of Lowry, MN, and Randy (Meg) of Woodbury, MN. Seven grandchildren: Neil Nelson and wife Kayla of Glenwood, MN, Troy Nelson and wife Erin, of Glenwood, Minnesota, Cody Nelson and wife Meagan,of Woodbury, MN, Brianna Nelson of Woodbury, Monica Broshat and husband, Andrew of Woodbury, MN, Annamarie Bares and husband, Tyler, of Cottage Grove, MN, and Natalie Nelson of St. Paul, MN. Ruby was great grandmother to 11 great-grandchildren, Chase, Callie, Leon, Lydia, Jack, Leia, Ryker, Emmaline, Nelson, Noah and Shiloh.

Funeral services will be held Sunday, October 11, 2026 beginning with visitation at 10 am and remembrance service at 11am at Bakken-Young Funeral Home (805 E Division St.) in River Falls. Longtime family friend Craig Finstad will lead the remembrance service. A luncheon will follow and private family burial will conclude Ruby’s services at Greenwood Cemetery in River Falls.

Arrangements are with Bakken-Young Funeral & Cremation Services.

Click here to watch Ruby’s funeral service live Sunday, October 11th at 11 am