Born on January 16, 1955, Ruby lived a life rooted in her faith, her family, and a deep care for others. After graduating from Edinburg High School, she went on to earn her teaching degree and Master of Education. Ruby found her calling in education, where she poured her heart, patience, and fierce advocacy into her students for more than 30 years. Specializing in Bilingual, Gifted and Talented programs, Reading Recovery, and ESL, she had a rare gift for making children feel seen, capable, and understood, often recognizing potential that others might have missed. She never hesitated to share her teaching talent and insights with her colleagues.
Ruby's care for others extended well beyond the classroom. She was a nurturer at heart and happiest when the people around her were fed, comfortable, and cared for. Cooking for others was one of the things she loved best. She was the person family and friends called for a recipe or advice on how to make just about anything, from chicken noodle soup to the tamales that were part of family holidays. At any family gathering, you could count on finding Ruby in the kitchen with a smile on her face. Sharing food and taking care of people was simply part of who she was.
Baking was another way Ruby shared her love and creativity with others. For years, she made beautiful cakes for birthdays, weddings, and other special occasions, baking and decorating each one herself. She had a remarkable talent for it, but what mattered most to Ruby was making something special for someone she cared about. In later years, that creativity found a new home in her intricately decorated sugar cookies, made in seemingly every shape and for every occasion. Whether it was a wedding cake, holiday tamales, a pot of soup when someone needed it, or a batch of cookies, making something for someone else brought her joy.
Ruby also had a wonderfully adventurous side. For many years, she loved riding her Harley and the freedom and independence she found on the open road. She was a gifted piano player, an avid reader who loved a good mystery, and a woman who loved being twirled around the dance floor.
Ruby never met a stranger. Friends became family, and once you were part of her life, she made sure you knew you were loved and cared for. Above all, Ruby cherished her family. Some of her greatest joy came from spending time with her grandchildren and simply being present for the people she loved.
Ruby is survived by her devoted husband, Lawrence (Larry) Krautkremer; her siblings, Rene (Sylvia) De La Garza and Eddie De La Garza; and her children, John (Paige) Struthers, Kristen (Clinton) Williams, Joshua Krautkremer, Gennine (Tobias) Kärrsten, Matthew (Elizabeth) Krautkremer, and Chris (Jill) Spencer. She was a proud and loving grandmother to Owen and Parker Williams; Lexi and Zachary Kärrsten; Ben and Jacob Krautkremer; Brittany (Marshall) James; Sebastein (Jamie) Spencer; Tyler (Kaitlyn) Spencer; Keagan Spencer; and nine great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Robert and Gilda De La Garza.
Ruby's life was defined by her faith, her love for her family, her dedication to her students, and her instinct to care for the people around her. The love she gave so freely will remain with her family, her students, and the many people whose lives she touched. Her warmth, her radiant smile, and, of course, her cookies will be dearly missed.
A service celebrating Ruby's life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on November 6 at St. James Episcopal Church in Conroe, with lunch to follow.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial donations be made in Ruby's honor to one of the following:
• St. James Episcolpal Church - stjamesconroe.org/give (select Memorial Gift)
• Alzheimer's Foundation of America - https://alzfdn.org/donate/ (select ‘Make this a Tribute Gift’)
