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Ruby Janice Horn-Ford passed away at home in Blair, on Monday, June 18, 2018, after a battle with cancer. Visitation will be on Thursday, June 21, 2018, at Campbell Aman Funeral Home beginning at 3 p.m., with family receiving friends from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Private graveside services will be at the Herman Cemetery in Herman.

Ruby was born on July 14, 1932, in Vernon County, Wis., to Carl and Ruby Holt. She was the youngest of nine children and grew up working on her family's dairy farm. She loved music as a child, playing the piano by ear, as well as the drums. Inspired by a cousin, Ruby pursued a career in nursing, choosing to go to nursing school and work in Chicago. Ruby settled in Ottumwa, Iowa, and later moved to Omaha and finally in Blair.

Ruby loved to knit, sew and tend to her flower and vegetable gardens. Ruby was a talented writer of many poems and short stories. Ruby will be greatly missed by all who knew her for her giving spirit and never-ending wisdom.

Ruby is survived by her children, Gary (Ellen) Sumner of Shelby, North Carolina; Wanda (Kevin) Saylor and Merlene Williams, all of Ottumwa, Iowa; Debbie (Mike) Deanovich of Nacogdoches, Texas; Diane (Jim) Harris of Easley, S.C.; Phil (Kristi) Horn and Tammi (James) Davis, all of Herman; Ronnah Horn of Blair; and Emily (Joshua) Fletcher of Louisville; as well as many grandchildren, great-grandchildren and several great-great-grandchildren.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Ronald Horn.

Memorials can be directed towards the family. "Mother to Few, Advisor to Many"

~~~Obituaries courtesy of the Washington County Genealogical Society. Newspaper clippings on file at the Blair Public Library.~~~