Ruby E. Van Egdom

   Ruby E. Van Egdom passed away peacefully on January 25th, 2023, at Hillcrest Care Center in Hawarden, Iowa.

   A visitation with the family for Ruby and John Van Egdom will be held from 2:00 p.m.  to 4:00 p.m.  on Saturday, February 18, 2023, at Porter Funeral Home in Hawarden, Iowa. Condolences may be sent to www.porterfuneralhomes.com.

   A private family burial will take place at a later date.

   Ruby, the daughter of the late Ira and Dorothy (Jager) DeRaad, was born January 27th, 1939, in Hawarden, Iowa. She graduated from Hawarden High School in 1957 and was very fond of her classmates from the Class of 1957.

   After high school, Ruby worked as a bookkeeper for many years for several companies in the Hawarden area.  She married Larry Kelhower in 1962.  Larry passed in 2004.  Ruby was working at Alcester Feed and Grain when she met John Van Egdom.  They were married in 2010 and they lived out their retirement years in Hawarden.  Together they enjoyed going to flea markets, gardening, going to see the “Old Time Fiddlers” and visiting with friends over coffee and tea.  Ruby loved collecting antique dolls, playing the piano, baking, sewing, and her most cherished role, taking care of those most close to her. 

   Ruby’s quiet, calm, and loving demeanor was a constant source of comfort to her family and friends. She was a devoted daughter, sister, wife, daughter-in-law, sister-in-law, mother, grandmother, and friend to many. She loved attending her grandchildren’s sporting events with John and visiting family or hosting holiday dinners and games so everyone could spend time together.

   Even though her life and health changed dramatically after John’s death in 2022, she still had her soft spoken, but amazing ability to care about everyone else above herself.  A personality that we all loved and treasured.  Moments with her were sometimes quiet, but were always filled with love and compassion and talk of the little treasures of meaning and life.  All of us who were blessed to know and love Ruby, are better people and we love you dearly and will forever miss you!

   Ruby resided at Hillcrest Care Center in Hawarden since 2022 and Ruby and all of us, are grateful for the endless love and care she received!  You are truly angels and we were blessed that Ruby was in such caring and considerate hands.

   Ruby is survived by her two sons, Scott (Candace) and grandchildren, Keegan, Kylee, Katie, and Kade of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and Steve (Gina) and grandchildren, Kevin, Kanyon, and Kase of Liberty, Missouri.    

   She was preceded in death by her parents, Ira and Dorothy DeRaad; brothers, Jasper and Alfred DeRaad; and husbands, Larry Kelhower and John Van Egdom.