Ruby Beekman

Ruby A. Beekman, 97, of Atlantic, Iowa, passed away Friday, May 4, 2018, at Heritage House in Atlantic.

Ruby Arlene was born on February 21, 1921, northeast of Lorah, Iowa, the daughter of Walter J. and Blanche (Havens) Rudy. She grew up on the family farm with her two brothers, Richard and Russell. Following school, she started working as a housekeeper for several area families. On February 22, 1942, she was united in marriage to Kenneth Duane Beekman in Maryville, Missouri. To this union three children were born, Karen, Dennis and Ron. Ruby stayed home and cared for the children until they were out of school and she went to work for Heritage House in the laundry department. She later worked alongside Kenneth in his contracting business remodeling homes. Kenneth and Ruby looked forward to taking time away at the Ozarks and Spirit Lake, and while there enjoyed fishing and taking in the outdoors. It wasn’t all for pleasure as they built a cabin for themselves and another for her family while at the Ozarks. After Kenneth’s passing in 2000, Ruby made Brookridge at Heritage House home for the next 9 years. She later moved to the assisted living side and remained there until entering the care center in November of 2017.

She looked forward to planting her enormous garden in the spring and canned a majority of her crop. Ruby’s flower gardens were also something you didn’t want to miss, well-tended and bursting with color. She knew her way around the kitchen; her children looked forward to deliveries of coffee cake and breads and always for the grandkids, her Christmas cutout cookies. In addition to all of this, she also loved to sew; making numerous outfits for her kids and also many quilts and afghans.

Ruby is survived by her daughter, Karen (Ted Hepler) Dant of Walnut, Iowa; sons, Dennis (Phyllis) Beekman of Claremore, OK, and Ron Beekman of Tulsa, OK; grandchildren, Lisa (Doug Blumer) Juhl of Shelby, IA, Craig Dant of Mountain Home, AK, Jacqueline (Jerry) Stewart of Kansas City, MO, Larry (Jennifer) Dant of Elk Horn, NE, Shannon Freeman of Claremore, OK, and Shelly Beekman of Tulsa, OK; and great-grandchildren, Jessica (Keagan) Holton, Jason Juhl, Haley Dant, Scotland Stewart, Caledonia Stewart, Adrienne Dant, Avery Dant, Tyler Freeman, and Alexis Freeman.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Kenneth Beekman and her brothers and sisters-in-law, Richard (Dorothy) Rudy and Russell (Ruth) Rudy.

Open visitation will be from 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Tuesday, May 8, 2018, at Roland Funeral Home. Visitation with the family will be held one hour prior to the service on Wednesday at the funeral home starting at 10:00 a.m.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, May 9, 2018, at Roland Funeral Home. Burial will be in the Atlantic Cemetery.

Roland Funeral Service is caring for Ruby’s family and her arrangements. Condolences may be left at www.rolandfuneralservice.com.

IN REMEMBRANCE

Ruby A. Beekman

BORN
February 21, 1921 - Atlantic, Iowa

DIED
May 4, 2018 - Atlantic, Iowa
At the age of 97 years, 2 months and 13 days

FUNERAL SERVICE
Eleven a.m., Wednesday, May 9, 2018
Roland Funeral Home - Atlantic, Iowa

OFFICIANT
Reverend Jerry Stewart
Gashland Baptist Church
Kansas City, Missouri

MUSICIAN
Heidi J. Hinman

MUSICAL SELECTIONS
“How Great Thou Art”
“The Old Rugged Cross”

CASKET BEARERS
Craig Dant
Larry Dant
Jason Juhl
Keagan Holton
Roger Rudy
Randal Rudy
Doug Blumer

INTERMENT
Atlantic Cemetery - Atlantic, Iowa


The family invites you to join them for lunch in the
meeting room at The Whitney, 222 Chestnut Street,
following the committal service.