Ruby Akiko Tanaka, 84, of Westminster, Colorado died peacefully at home with her children and her caretaker at her side on March 19, 2019. Born October 18, 1934, in Longmont, Colorado, she was predeceased by her parents, Kikutaro and Yukino Mayeda, husband, Bob Tanaka and her loving daughter, Julie Tanaka.
Ruby grew up with her seven siblings on her parents' farm, Mayeda Farms. After marrying Bob, she worked on the family farm, Tanaka Farms where she drove tractors in the field and drove trucks to Denver to deliver produce. After the family lost the farm, Ruby became a manicurist and worked in Boulder until she retired. Although she worked hard, Ruby always placed her family first. In addition to spending time with her family, Ruby enjoyed traveling. Two of her most memorable trips were to Japan with her siblings and Hawaii with her children and grandchildren.
Ruby was also known for her keen eye for fashion, beautiful fingernails and her green thumb. Her children will miss her, her fun-loving personalty and heart-warming smile.
Some of Ruby's great accomplishments:
Attended Colorado A & M (CSU) for a year
worked for Continental Airlines so she could get travel passes for her and her family
went back to school at 55 years old for cosmetology license to become a manicurist
was very active biking, skiing, and hiking with her children
was an awesome cook, her biscuits and yeast buns were out of this world
Ruby is survived by her sister May Yamada, her children, Rob Tanaka (Shelly), Janice Ramos, Tina Tanaka-Ishida (Ron), son-in-law, Jim Ott, (Julie), grandchildren: Alex Ramos, Tia Ramos, Will Ishida, Katie Ishida, Robert Tanaka Jr, and Nicholas Tanaka and niece/caretaker Jackie Tono and many other wonderful relatives.
A visitation for Ruby will be held Wednesday, April 3, 2019 from 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Olinger Highland Mortuary & Cemetery located at 10201 Grant Street in Thornton, Colorado. A funeral service will take place the following evening on Thursday, April 4, 2019 beginning at 7:00 PM at the TriState/Denver Buddhist Temple located at 1947 Lawrence Street in Denver, Colorado.
A committal service occurring on Friday, April 5, 2019 at 10:00 AM at the Longmont Mountain View Cemetery found at 620 11th Ave in Longmont, Colorado.
Fond memories of Ruby and expressions of sympathy for her family may be shared using www.olingerhighland.com and clicking the at the guest book link.
