Ruby Eleanor (Bakken) Van Dorston

Ruby Eleanor (Bakken) Van Dorston, 92, of Chetek, Wisconsin, passed away on Friday, December 12, 2014 at the Dallas Care and Rehabilitation Center in Dallas, Wisconsin.

Ruby was born on December 22, 1921 in the Township of Dallas, Barron County, Wisconsin and grew up on the farm where she was born.  She attended Lexington Elementary School and Colfax High School graduating in 1939.  She then went to Eau Claire Teachers College and taught in country schools in the area.

Ruby married Elmer Leroy Van Dorston on August 1, 1942 in Sand Creek, Wisconsin, to this union were born four children: Lorene, Linda, Roy and Marlys.

After raising her family she went back to school at the University of Dubuque in Dubuque, Iowa, where she graduated on January 24, 1966.  Ruby taught at Marshall Elementary in Dubuque for many years and retiring to Chetek with Elmer in the fall of 1987.  They made Apache Junction, AZ their home for many winters.

Ruby made many wonderful friends as she was member of the Chetek Lutheran Church, Chetek Senior Citizens Center and The Sons of Norway.

Ruby leaves to celebrate her memory: children; Lorene (James) Kuse, Roscoe, IL; Linda (Charles) Harrison, Chetek, WI; Roy (Joyce) Van Dorston, Cedar Rapids, IA and Marlys Van Dorston of Apache Junction, AZ; 8 grandchildren: Curtis (Julie Rae) Harrison, Karla (Richard) Cobbs, Carol (Michael) Hodges, Damon Kuse, Anthony (Laura Long) Van Dorston, Chad (Teri) Van Dorston, Andrew (Dawn) Van Dorston, Luke (Abby) Van Dorston, 9 great grandchildren: Sean (Vanessa), Chelsey, Abby,  Harrison, Alexis, Otto, Brooks, Leo and Cole, 4 step great grandchildren: Amy, Ben, Katie Jo and Bryonne, 5 step great great grandchildren: Anika, Alex, Eli, Noella and Madison, one brother, Leland (Mildred) Bakken, Oshkosh, WI; cousins, nieces, nephews and many wonderful friends including her Friday afternoon card playing friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Albert and Hannah (Dahl) Bakken, husband, Elmer Van Dorston, sisters, Cora Anderson, Agnes Thorstad, Edna Bakken and brothers, Arvel , Norman, Palmer and Edwin Bakken, grandson, James Elmer Kuse, granddaughter, Janna Lyn Kuse and great grandson, Jack Leonidas Van Dorston.

Funeral services will be he on Thursday, December 18, 2014 at 11:00 A.M. at the Chetek Lutheran Church.  Ruby’s family will greet visitors at the church beginning at 10:00 A.M. until the time of service.  The family would like to invite their guests to join them for lunch and fellowship immediately following the funeral service in the church basement.

The Burnham-Ours-Kolstad Family Funeral Home of Chetek, Wisconsin has been entrusted with arrangements.