----Source: Newspaper clipping from family files

DEATH OF RUBY STEARNS

Ruby Esther Stearns, daughter of Henry and Christine Stearns, was born in Biwabik (MN) on Sept 14, 1901, and in May, 1903, she came with her parents to Duluth, in which city they made their home until they were called to their Heavenly Home above. She attended the city schools, and at the same time took instructions in the parochial schools there. On April 16, 1916, Ruby was confirmed in the St. John's English Lutheran church at which place she has been a true and faithful member all her life. She was a Sunday School teacher and a member of the Luther League and Cotta Guild. On June 14, 1918, she graduated from the Duluth Central High School where she received very high honors and later entered the State University at Minneapolis. While yet a student there, God called her dear mother home on December 29, 1921, which left Ruby alone with her invalid father. On March 17 of the following year, her father was called away, leaving her alone to face the toils and hardships in this life. She bore her griefs and sorrows bravely and finished her course at the University, from which she graduated on June 20, 1923, since which time she has been teaching in the Lincoln Junior High School at Duluth. While there she made her home with the Walter S. Smith family of Morgan Park and spent her vacations with her relatives here in Wisconsin.

On December 17, she was taken sick with the flu and heart failure from which disease she had been suffering for some time. She was taken to St. Mary's Hospital where she was cared for until Jan. 29 when she was brought back to the Walter S. Smith home. Here she was cared for by the family and her cousin, Lydia Guenther. During her illness her only hope was to gain strength enough to be brought back to her relatives where she wished to make her home.

On Thursday evening when Ruby was very happy over the thought of coming here to her home and preparations were made to start, she was suddenly taken with another severe attack which caused her death on Saturday morning at 6:25.

Ruby was a kind and loving young lady and lived a true Christian life. Although a flower in full bloom and knew her end was near, she was never sad and always had a smiling face, never complaining.

She leaves to mourn her death, her aunts and uncles, Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Nitschke, Mr. and Mrs. Carl Krause and Mr. and Mrs. Paul Roder, her cousins and a host of friends. The remains were brought to the home of Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Nitschke. Funeral services were held at Zion's Lutheran church in Grant on Tuesday, Feb. 19, Rev. J. Buth officiating. Interment will be made in the Neillsville cemetery beside the bodies of her beloved parents and sister, Stella, who died in infancy.