Ruby Elizabeth Papendick, 92, was taken to her heavenly home by her Savior Jesus Christ on Sunday, April 21, 2024, while a resident at Bishop Place Senior Care Center in Pullman.

She was born Feb. 20, 1932, in Canistota, S.D., the eldest of three children to Ralph and Lois Oller, both devout Christians, who raised Ruby and her two brothers in a Christian way to adulthood on their farm near Canistota. She graduated from Canistota High School in 1950.

Later that year she married Robert I. Papendick and moved to the Papendick family farm where their first child Shirley was born and lived there until 1952 when Robert was drafted into the U.S. Army during the Korean War. Ruby and daughter joined Robert while stationed at the Aberdeen Proving Grounds in Maryland and returned to South Dakota to live with her parents for 18 months when he was transferred to Germany assigned to the military occupation forces. During time overseas their second child Dale was born.

After Robert was discharged from service in 1954, the family moved to Brookings, S.D., where Robert enrolled at South Dakota State University and lived there until his graduation in 1962. In Brookings three children, Cheryl, Sharon, and Loren were added to the family. Ruby’s next move was in early 1963 to Florence, Ala., where Robert was employed for research by the Tennessee Valley Authority. In 1965 Robert accepted employment by USDA’s Agriculture Research Service at Washington State University and the family moved to Pullman in July. Ruby led a busy life in Pullman where she made many friends amid her priority as homemaker and care of her family.

She was a proactive member of Concordia Lutheran Church in Chapel Guild, and Sunday School and board service. She worked part-time at WSU registration, J.C. Penney’s Department Store and obtained a cosmetologist license as a back-up for family care. Ruby also found time for international travel with her husband to Middle East countries, the South Pacific, North Africa, France, Germany, England and Australia as well as domestic travel in the U.S.

On top of doing a variety of volunteering for Vacation Bible School (known as The Cookie Lady), Pullman Regional Hospital and the local Blood Drive, she provided special assistance for her husband in hosting national and international visitors related to his position at the university. At home Ruby enjoyed outdoors, flowers, sports and interacting with grandchildren of all ages. She was partial to pets, especially cats, and cared for two house/outdoor favorites, i.e., Ricky, a black/white mix, and Dragon, a Siamese.

Her passing leaves behind her husband Robert, four children Dale, (Julie) Papendick, Cheryl (Rod) Candler, Sharon (Gary) Ryan, Loren (Tamie) Papendick, 12 grandchildren, 26 great-grandchildren and a great-great-grandchild. Preceding her passing are her eldest daughter Shirley (Guss) Williamson and two brothers, Richard and Jerald Oller.

The memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, April 30 at Concordia Lutheran Church, 1015 NE Orchard Drive, Pullman.

Corbeill Funeral Home of Pullman is in charge of arrangements. Memorial donations are suggested to Concordia Lutheran Church Chapel Guild or to a favorite charity. Online condolences may be sent to corbeillfuneralhomes.com.