Ruby Louise Mueller (nee Weise), 91, died peacefully in her sleep Sunday, December 22, in Houston, Texas.
Ruby was born in Thorndale, Texas, on December 24, 1927, to Louise and Herman Weise. She was her parent's only daughter and was sandwiched in birth order between her two brothers – her older brother Herman, and her younger brother, Wilbert, better known as Uti.
Growing up, Ruby's family had a small homestead on a working farm. She spoke often of having to feed the chickens, milk the cows, can vegetables and pick cotton. Living directly across from their church, St. Paul Lutheran, Missouri Synod, the Weise children spent a great deal of time there not only attending services, but also school and weekend activities. A German community, it was common for the services and lessons to be held in German, so Ruby was bilingual at a young age. However, World War II brought fear and English became the sole language of the community with German only spoken behind closed doors. Ruby never lost her love of the language though.
Ruby was close to her momma who taught her what all girls of that time should know: cleaning, cooking, sewing, canning and caring. But her momma also taught her how to dream bigger and she encouraged Ruby to board a train and travel to Winfield, Kansas, to attend St. John's College where she earned her degree in education.
Upon graduation, Ruby was called to teach at Bethany Lutheran in Houston, Texas. She would go on to teach there for 38 years, touching the lives of hundreds of children that passed through her second and third grade classes. Bethany is also where she met the love of her life, Martin "Marty" Mueller, whom she liked to call Marty B.
From the beginning, Marty and Ruby came as a set. They worked together to build a loving home for their four children – Linda, Kathy, Ron and Rick. As parents, they taught their children about Jesus and it was often Ruby would quiz each one on their verses for confirmation. While there was not a great deal of extra spending money from the pair's teacher salaries, Ruby made sure there was always plenty to eat, that there were decorations for every holiday, that chores were done but that there was always time for games to be played, and above all, she made sure the home was filled with love. She continued to pass these life lessons down to her grandchildren whom she loved dearly.
Each of the nine grandchildren has their own stories of Grandma as Ruby made sure to make each one feel special and loved. However, the one thing they can all say about Grandma is that she was an expert Chinese checkers player. As her oldest grandson has said, "After your first move, she could look at the board and tell you how many moves she was going to beat you in." She had the opportunity to spend the most time with the twins, Katie and Sarah, and their brother, Eric, as all three would stay with her after school. She loved the time she got to spend with all of her grandchildren and in their eyes, was the best Grandma one could ask for.
Ruby was a giver. She never let you leave her home without giving you something whether it was food, decorations of some sort, money, or words of faith. She loved the Lord, her family and her church community. She will be missed beyond measure. Her family takes comfort in her favorite Bible verse, John 3:16: "For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life."
So we do not say good-bye to our sweet and loving momma, grandma, sister-in-Christ, friend; instead we know we will see you again and feel sure it will be you who meets us at Heaven's gate, asking, "How about something to eat?"
Ruby is preceded in death by her parents, her brothers, Herman and Wilbert "Uti" Weise, and her beloved husband of 66 years, Martin "Marty" Mueller.
She is survived by her children and their spouses, Linda and Paul Noyd, Kathy and Harvey Roensch, Ron and Janet Mueller, Rick and Sue-Ella Mueller, her nine grandchildren and their spouses, Sky and Megan Noyd, Steven and Jesilyn Roensch, Aaron Roensch, Katie, Sarah and Eric Mueller, Makayla, Rylan and Caden Mueller, one great-grandchild, Jackson Noyd, her sisters-in-law, Loraine Weise and Ima Jean Weise, as well as numerous nieces, nephews and extended family members.
The family will be receiving visitors at Concordia Lutheran Church, Friday, December 27, from 9-11 am, followed by funeral services beginning at 11 am. The burial will take place at St. Paul Lutheran Church cemetery in Thorndale, Texas, Saturday, December 28, at 11 am. Receptions to follow the funeral and burial.
Special thanks is given to the Brookdale Willowbrook Place and Hospice with Grace Staff for their loving care given our Mom.