Ruby (Haggart) VanDenBerg left South Dakota for her heavenly home on February 28, 2021. Ruby celebrated life with aplomb and vivaciousness, always with a song on her lips and in her heart, with a dance step or two to keep life lively. Ruby celebrated 95 years of living in September of 2020, and continues that joy with Jesus, who was her steadfast rock.
Herman and Ruby lived south of Prairie City for 67 years before selling their beloved ranch in 2014 and moving to Spearfish. The VanDenBerg Ranch attained a Century Farm status in 2013. This ranch was where they raised their six children; Marilyn, Cindy, Susan, Gloria, Wynn, and Lisa.  Ruby raised her family to be responsible with ranch chores, to have respect for teachers and elders, and to help others. A large summer garden was therefore a family affair.
Ruby served as 4-H leader and often volunteered at fair time to enter open class exhibits and assist with judging them. Ruby was a lifelong resident of Perkins County, and had the distinction of being the 2nd Annual "Friend of the Fair", an honor bestowed upon her by the Perkins County Fair Board in 2018.
Ruby was raised in the Date, SD community approximately 40 miles southwest of Bison, by her parents Rube and Ida Haggart. She attended Highland County School through the 8th grade, and graduated from Lemmon High School in 1942. Following graduation, she moved west to Spokane, WA to live with her sister Dorothy. Ruby attended business school while waiting tables. She also worked in a garage, polishing cars for a while. Later, the sisters moved to Seattle and Ruby worked in an insurance agency. She had the distinction of being selected "Valentine's Day Queen" while in Seattle. In the fall of 1946, Ruby returned home for a visit and was courted by Herman VanDenBerg. "My feet got stuck in the gumbo," she joked, and she stayed. They were married June 11, 1947 and celebrated 70 years of good times, tough times, sad times, and glad times. She said, "our family was always there for one another."
Ruby Van, as she's affectionately called, was a 60+ year member of the Hand-E-Hands Extension Club in their rural Zeona Community in Southwest Perkins County. She also held offices on the Perkins County Council. Even after the Hand-E-Hands Club disbanded, she remained active as a member at large in the county organization, Perkins County CFEL, where she held several offices and was a project leader. In 1998, she received the Perkins County CFEL Honored Homemaker Award. She often represented Perkins County as a voting member at state conventions. As a member of the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Zeona, Ruby taught Sunday School and Vacation Bible School and attended Ladies Aid. She was also a member of the Fairview Chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star.
Ruby always had the coffee pot on, with either homemade bread or cinnamon rolls just coming out of the oven, for visitors that often stopped by and were received with a welcome smile!
After Ruby and Herman's move to Spearfish, they became active participants in Our Savior's Lutheran Church and enjoyed making new acquaintances.
Ruby is survived by her five daughters; many grand and great-grandchildren; a brother, Wilbur Haggart; and a sister, Marjori Warner.
She is preceded in her journey to heaven by her husband, Herman; son, Wynn; parents, Rube and Ida Haggart; her sisters and brothers; and grandchildren.
Ruby would say to you: "go forth with a song on your lips and love for the Lord". You can be assured that she is dancing with Praise at this moment.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., with visitation beginning one hour prior, on Friday, March 5, 2021 at Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Spearfish with Pastor Stephan Sandness officiating. Burial will follow at the Prairie City Cemetery in Prairie City, SD.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Ruby's name may be made to Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Spearfish, or to Immanuel Lutheran Church in Zeona, SD.

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