Ruby Jean Perkins

Ruby Jean Perkins (Jacobson)
10/20/1928 - 8/10/2023
Ruby Jean Jacobson, the daughter of Helmer and Lilla Jacobson, was born in 1928. She was raised in Audubon, MN along with her sisters Dorothy and Mary Alice (Mani). She attended Audubon schools and graduated from High School in 1946. Then she moved to nearby Fargo, ND and began working for Standard Oil.
Ruby met Donald Perkins through a mutual friend and the couple were married on June 10, 1950, at First Lutheran Church in Audubon. They moved to Minneapolis where Ruby continued working for Standard Oil. Soon Ruby and Don purchased their first home, located in Bloomington, MN, near Bush Lake. Ruby left her job when they started their family. Robert Alan was born in 1954, and Gregory David arrived in 1956.
In 1967 Ruby and Don purchased a new home, also in Bloomington. After Don's death in 1981, Ruby continued living in their house. As she aged it was her wish and dream to be able to live out her life there. Aside from spending her last few days in the hospital, she accomplished that goal. Her neighbors said she was still out weeding her garden until days before her death. Not bad for 94!
Ruby had a giving heart and volunteered where she was needed. She worked in the cafeterias at her son's elementary and junior high schools. It's likely the only reason she didn't continue through their high school years was fear of embarrassing them! She also served as one of Greg's Den Mothers for his Cub Scout group. After Don passed away, she devoted some of her free time to the American Diabetes Association. Don, Ruby's Mother, and other relatives on both sides of the family were Diabetic so it was a charity close to her heart.
Ruby was a member of St. Stephen Lutheran Church for 56 years. She was strong in her faith and actively participated in various groups. She often served food and coffee at church events and functions, as well as serving meals for Loaves and Fishes in downtown Minneapolis. She put her crafting skills to work with the church quilting group. They made many quilts over the years, all going to the needy. Ruby also enjoyed the senior group. They had gatherings at church, went on picnics, attended events outside the church, and went on trips.
Over the years Ruby's interests grew and changed. She had many friends, but also enjoyed her time alone for reading, cross-stitch, baking, gardening, crossword puzzles, etc. She kept busy into her 90's. In 2022 Ruby had a recurrence of the Cutaneous T-Cell Lymphoma (Cancer) she had first been diagnosed with in 2018. She went through both radiation and chemo treatments. It was difficult at her age, but she carried on, usually with a smile on her face.
Although Ruby had many cherished friendships over her lifetime, her family was the center of her universe. Don Perkins was the love of her life. After being diagnosed with ALS at age 50 and dying at 55, Ruby was devastated. But she did not sit alone feeling sorry for herself. She resumed a full life.
Ruby was preceded in death by Don, her parents, and her sister Mani. She is survived by her sons Bob and Greg, her daughter-in-law Nancy, sister Dorothy, cousins, nieces, and nephews. In addition, Ruby leaves behind the Ellerton Family, who all loved her and treated her as their own, as she did them. She was there soon after their births and attended their graduations and weddings, just as she would be for any blood relative.
Ruby will be missed greatly, but she asked us not to grieve unnecessarily. Rather, she wanted us to remember happy moments that brought us joy. On Saturday, October 14 we will honor her with a special Celebration of Life from 1-3PM. At 2PM there will be a short service.
Ruby loved her church and preferred that any memorials in her name be given to St. Stephen Lutheran Church. Their mailing address is 8400 France Avenue South in Bloomington, MN 55431.
We will all love you forever.
Memorial gathering planned for October. Washburn-McReavy.com Werness Brothers 952-884-8145