Ruby L. Kirsch
1929-2016
Farragut, Iowa

Ruby Lorene (Hampton) Kirsch was born February 1, 1929 in Elwood, Missouri RFD (near Springfield). She was the daughter of James Pete “JP” and Jewell Cleo (Young) Hampton. Ruby’s dad was a farmer, so she grew up on a farm northwest of Tarkio, Missouri, not far from the Farmer’s City Country Store. She attended North Polk Country School until 1935 when the family moved to the Enbody farm southwest of Tarkio. Ruby attended Central Country School until the 6th grade. At that time, her family moved to Walters Brothers farm in the Cooper neighborhood near Rock Port and Fairfax, Missouri. Ruby remembered riding the family’s white saddle pony named Doc four miles round trip to Cooper Country School with her brother Coy. She attended Tarkio and Fairfax High School for a short period during this time.

JP purchased an 80 acre farm 1 ½ miles east of Burlington Junction, Missouri, on the north side of Highway 136. Ruby finished her high school career graduating from Burlington Junction High School in 1948. After high school, Ruby continued to live with her parents working at the Post Office in Burlington Junction. It was at that time she met Walter “Hack” Kirsch, and on August 12, 1951, they were united in marriage at the Methodist Church in Burlington Junction. This union was blessed with a daughter, Mary Lee. The family lived on Peckville Ranch southeast of Westboro, Missouri. In 1965, Ruby and Walter ran the Village Inn café in Westboro, and after a time, the family moved to Tarkio.

Ruby devoted most of her time to being a housewife and mother. She was also employed throughout the years at Curly’s Big Dipper in Tarkio, Earl May Garden Center, and Orscheln Farm and Home in Shenandoah, Iowa. In 2010, Ruby moved to an apartment in Farragut, Iowa, to be closer to her family.

Her hobbies included playing the guitar, listening to country music, sewing, and tending to her flowers. Ruby absolutely loved cooking and baking. She was always testing and making up new recipes, as she had tons of recipe and cookbooks! This activity was especially enjoyable when she could combine it with bird watching (especially wrens) outside her kitchen window. She thoroughly enjoyed meals and special time with family and friends. But, most of all, she loved her family. Ruby passed away Monday, August 8, 2016, at The Ambassador in Sidney, Iowa, at the age of 87.

Survivors include her daughter Mary and husband Robert Burkhiser of Farragut, Iowa, Grandson Zebulon Burkhiser and wife Jenny of Shenandoah, Iowa, Sister in Law Wanda Merric and husband Norviel of West Plains, Missouri, Uncle Preston Hampton and wife Louise of Chadwick, Missouri, plus many nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends.

She is preceded in death by her parents James and Jewell Hampton, brother Guy, twin sisters Leora and Lenora, brother Coy, an infant daughter, and husband Walter.

Graveside Service and Interment:
10:30 A.M., Friday, August 12, 2016, Ohio Cemetery, Burlington Junction, Missouri.
No scheduled family visitation. Open visitation begins 9:00 A.M., Thursday, Davis Funeral Home, Tarkio.
Memorials: Ohio Cemetery
Online obituaries and condolences at www.minterfuneralchapels.com
Services: Davis Funeral Home, Tarkio, Missouri.