Ruby Whealen

Ruby J. Whealen, 94 of Parker, died Saturday, January 30, 2021 at the Sanford Foundation Hospice Cottage in Sioux Falls.  Private family services will be held at 11:00 am Friday, February 5, 2021 at the First Presbyterian Church, Parker, livestreamed at www.facebook.com/Hofmeister-Jones-Funeral-Home .   Burial will be at Rosehill Cemetery, Parker.  Visitation will be from 5-7pm Thursday at Hofmeister Jones Funeral Home, Parker.  Due to Covid 19, mask and social distancing are to be observed in celebrating Ruby’s life.

Ruby J. Whealen was born on July 25, 1926 at Bridgewater, SD to John and Emma (Albrecht) Graber.  As a child the family moved to Parker where she graduated from Parker High School in 1944.  As a Parker Pheasant she was a cheerleader and was the Homecoming Queen.  On December 29, 1946 she was united in marriage to Allen Whealen at Parker.  They lived near Parker where she was employed at the Freeman Hospital for 19 years as a nurse’s aide and for 13 years at the Turner County Courthouse in the WIC Program, retiring in 1992.  Her husband Allen died in 2001 and shortly after that she moved into Parker.  For the past couple of years, she had been a resident at Dow Rummel in Sioux Falls.

She was an active member of First Presbyterian Church, enjoyed knitting, quilting and bike riding.  She had a talent for doing things and together with her friend Margaret had an upholstery, wallpaper and painting business. Her family and friends were very important to her, and she loved spending time with them.

Grateful for having shared her life are her children, Kathy (Don) Duncan, Flandreau, SD, Beth (Mick) Francis, Blue Springs, MO, Mark Whealen, Parker, Nancy (Dave) Scott, Sioux Falls, Brian (Terri) Whealen, Madison, WI and Lisa (Tom) Targonski, Sioux City, IA; 13 grandchildren, 4 step grandchildren, 16 great grandchildren, 7 step great grandchildren and a great-great grandson, and special friend Mary Garry, Parker.  She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, brothers Phil and Robert, a nephew Robert, and 2 granddaughters in infancy, Jennifer and Melissa.