Lou Ellen G Rubash

Lou Ellen Neal Rubash passed away peacefully on April 24, 2025, surrounded by her loving family. Born in Stigler, Oklahoma on September 6, 1933, to Henry and Lula Pearl Neal, she was the youngest of seven children. Like many families during the Dust Bowl era, she moved to California around 1940.

Lou Ellen settled in Delano, California where she attended high school, made many lifelong friends, and began to build her own family. In 1950, she married Harold Gregory and soon became a proud and devoted mother to Kelvin, John, and Lori. Her love and support were a constant source of strength and comfort to her children and the generations that followed. To her growing family, she was simply "Grammy," a title that spoke volumes about the love, warmth, and central role she played in their lives.

Later in life, Lou Ellen found her perfect match in Tony Rubash. After being married in 1985, they shared 28 wonderful years together, traveling across the country in their motorhome, spending time at the beach, and hosting family gatherings at their home in Bakersfield.

Grammy's house was where the best memories were made, whether it was Skip-Bo and Yahtzee at the cabin in Pine Flat, or Easter egg hunts in her backyard on Panorama. Christmas was her favorite time of the year, and the tradition of being together on Christmas Eve continues on with the next generations, who lovingly call her "Big Grammy". Family was the center of Lou Ellen's world and she was the center of the family - her fried chicken recipe and early morning Christmas Eve gifts will forever be family traditions.

Lou Ellen spent her last two years at Ivy Park where she connected with old friends and new and once again spent many happy hours playing cards and Yahtzee. Her contagious, upbeat smiling personality had the residents' table where she ate dubbed "The Happy Table".

Lou Ellen is survived by her children: Kelvin and Kathy Gregory, John Gregory, and Lori and Ron Mariani; her stepchildren: Bret Rubash, Starla Rubash, Tania and Mark Johnson; her grandchildren: Chris, Becky, Michael, Matthew, Gregory, Ryan, Spencer, Shane, Blake, Luke, Brandi, Cody, Bret and Brandon; her 19 great-grandchildren; and her six great-great-grandchildren, as well as numerous nieces and nephews across the country whom she cherished. She was predeceased by her husband, Tony Rubash; her great-granddaughter; Audrie; parents: Henry and Lula Pearl Neal; and her siblings: Ivan, Kenny, Eunice, Delila, Henry Lee, and Hilda.

Lou Ellen's life was a testament to love, family, and resilience. She will be deeply missed and forever remembered.

Funeral services will be held at Hillcrest Memorial Park (9101 Kern Canyon Rd) on Saturday, May 3rd, 2025 at 10am.