Ruby Marie Loftstrom

Ruby was born in Miller, South Dakota to Edgar Vincent Story and Olive Davis (Ross) Story. She was the middle of three children, preceded in death by her sister Beulah May Grey of South Dakota, and survived by her brother, Demaree Lee Story, of Seattle, Washington.

Ruby was an intelligent girl who excelled in school. She was the Valedictorian of her graduating class and received a full scholarship to Michael Reese Hospital in Chicago where she received her R.N. degree in 1947. She moved to California and worked in a hospital in Redondo Beach. Being a true adventurer she sailed to Hawaii and worked at a military hospital for two years. She was the Director of Nursing in Ukiah and retired as a charge nurse for the Psychiatric Unit at Memorial Hospital in Modesto. During a fun summer as a hostess at Lake Arrowhead, she met and married Ted Douglas Lofstrom and they had three children. Ruby enjoyed her role as a mother and loved her family and friends. She was a very social person. She greatly enjoyed visiting and being visited. Her restless spirit compelled her to plan the next family gathering even in the midst of the current family get-together! She enjoyed cooking & had many signature dishes including the family favorite, Ruby Rolls. Throughout her life, she was active in many pursuits--square dancing in several Modesto clubs, theatre, painting classes, singing with the Sweet Adelines, participating with the Modesto Jazz Society, giving flu shots with The Visiting Nurses, cooking, and traveling. She wrote most of her life and filled many journals detailing her thoughts and life events. She was always planning her next vacation, travel brochures scattered around her. She returned many times to Hawaii, her most favorite place in the world. Ruby loved the ocean and looked forward to beach outings where she loved to sit in the sand and watch the waves till sunset.

Ruby left this earth, in the surroundings of her own home, and in the company of her kids. She leaves behind her three children, Jean Anne de Grassi of Monterey, Michael Lofstrom of Piedmont, and Lisa Austin of Modesto, plus 6 grandchildren-Laura, David, Ryan, Sarah, Nathan, and Eric.

She was loved deeply and will be missed by her many friends and family.