Monticello - Ruby Bensen, 59, died Thursday, August 19, 1999 at her cabin residence near Bemidji.
Funeral services were held at 2 p.m on Sunday, August 22 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Monticello with Reverend Bob Rusert officiating. Casketbearers were Ann Grewe, Jo Havel, Liz Jensen, Marilyn Sorenson, Anne Anderson, Nancy Smith, Sandra Nyvall and Kate Loven. Interment was held on Monday at Fairview Cemetery in Erskine. The Peterson-Grimsmo Chapel of Monticello was in charge of the arrangements.
Ruby Waale was born on March 19, 1940 in Thief River Falls, the daughter of Thomas and Anna (Wedul) Waale. She grew up in the area and graduated from Lincoln High School in Thief River Falls.
Ruby received her bachelor of arts degree from Concordia College in 1962 and her master's degree from the University of Colorado in Boulder in 1965. She taught both elementary and secondary school in Fergus Falls; Denver, CO; North St. Paul; Renton, WA; and St. Cloud.
On December 22, 1968 she was united in marriage to Kermit Bensen in Milltown, WI. The couple have made their home in Monticello since 1972.
While living in Monticello, Ruby filled various long-term substitute teaching positions in the local school district. She was an active member of Trinity Lutheran Church of Monticello, participating in the church's women's circle, Bible study and as a teacher for Sunday school and vacation Bible school. She was also active in the local Girl Scouts and the Monticello Senior Citizens.
Survivors include her husband, Kermit; one son, Mark of Monticello; two daughters, Jana Bensen of Maplewood and Julie (Scott) Kuecker of Marshall; and two sisters, Trudy Rye of Merrimack, NH and Marilyn Hermodson of Moorhead.
She was preceded in death by her parents. A00003B1999AG25