Ruby Wharton

Ruby Wharton, 81, of Miller, passed away Friday, May 12, 2023, at Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls.
Memorial service will be 10:00 a.m., Friday, May 26, 2023, at the First United Methodist Church, Miller, with Rev. Teresa Whetsel officiating. Burial will follow at G.A.R. Cemetery, Miller. Visitation will begin at 6:00 p.m. followed by a 7:00 p.m. prayer service, Thursday, May 25, 2023, all at the church.
Ruby Ione Heinrich Wharton was born June 1, 1941, at Greeley, Colorado to Jacob and Lena (Delzer) Heinrich. At the age of one, her family moved to South Dakota, growing up in the small town of Isabel. Upon graduating from high school, Ruby went to ten weeks of summer school at Black Hills State College in Spearfish, South Dakota and started teaching that fall. Ruby continued to pursue her education by attending night classes and summer school earning a degree in elementary education. She enrolled in the master program at Northern State Teacher's College in Aberdeen, South Dakota in 1981 and earned her master's degree in 1982. During this time, Ruby raised her two children.
She was very involved in the community, she was a 4-H leader, singing in the choir, and was president of the Miller Education Association. After her family was raised, Ruby joined the Dakota Harmony Chorus and sang with them for 29 years. Ruby was also a member of the Huron Singles group and the First United Methodist Church.
Ruby is survived by her children: Valerie (Tim) Zipp, Parker, CO and Chad (LaDonna) Wharton, Jamestown, ND; grandchildren: Kristopher (Jess) Wharton, Bloomington, MN, Jaren Wharton, Fargo, ND, Jett Wharton, Jamestown, ND Karston Wharton, Jamestown, ND, and Natalie Hannah, Parker, CO; great grandchildren: McKenna and Hunter Hannah; siblings: Emma Ogdahl, Benton, TX, Violet Voller, Mobridge, David (Maxine) Heinrich, Rapid City, Arthur (Lois) Heinrich, Box Elder, and Eva June (Leonard) Busse, West Minister, CO; sister-in-law, Carol Heinrich, WI; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
She was preceded in death by her parents: Jacob and Lena Heinrich; brother, Edwin Heinrich; nephew, Delbert Ogdahl; and brothers-in-law: Marvin Ogdahl and Andrew Voller.
Reck Funeral Home of Miller has been entrusted with Ruby's arrangements.