ALTOONA — Ruby Alice Olson, age 92, of Altoona, passed away peacefully at home on Aug. 19, 2025, with her family by her side.
Born on Dec. 27, 1932, in Chanute, Ruby was the daughter of Joseph and Mary (Winterrowd) Adelgren. After graduating from Vilas High School in 1950, she married the love of her life, Robert “Bob” Eugene Olson, on March 11, 1953, in Chanute. They celebrated 40 happy years of marriage before Bob passed away a few months later, after a long battle with cancer.
Together, Bob and Ruby raised four sons on their farm near Altoona. They enjoyed traveling as members of the Chanute Camp Hoppers Association, and Ruby also assisted Bob with his Vermeer baler business.
A devoted homemaker, Ruby found joy in gardening, canning, baking, and tending to her cattle. She was a member of the Vilas Homebuilders and a devout member of the High Prairie United Methodist Church, where she was actively involved in the United Methodist Women’s group.
Ruby was well known for her delicious gooseberry pies, which she lovingly donated to the annual church bazaar. Her kitchen table was a place of warmth and comfort, where she opened her heart and home to all. She treasured time with her family, especially when her grandchildren would camp out on the living room floor. Ruby also enjoyed traveling with friends, taking frequent trips to Branson to see the shows.
Ruby’s kind heart and generous spirit led her to care for others without being asked. She approached life with an upbeat, positive attitude centered around her faith. She will be deeply missed, and her legacy of kindness and generosity will live on in the hearts of all who knew her.
Ruby was preceded in death by her parents, Joseph and Mary Adelgren; her husband, Robert Olson; her sister, June McNeal; and her brothers, Dale and Carl Adelgren.
She is survived by her four sons: Duane (Pam) of Pomona; Lowell (Lethia) of Lewiston, MT; Randall (Rae Lynn) of Altoona; and Max (Dorrine) of Hiawatha. She is also survived by her siblings, Victor (Esther) Adelgren of Littleton, Colorado, and Charles (Linda) Adelgren of Yuma, Arizona; sister-in-law Ann Adelgren of Westminster, Colorado; fifteen grandchildren: Jesse, Wally, Rob, Kyli, Kaysi, DeLisa, Abby, Ashley, Kody, Lacee, Emily, Russell, Robyn, Aaron, and Jordan; and twenty-five great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be held at Countryside Funeral Home on Monday, Aug. 25, with the family greeting friends from 5-7 p.m. A Celebration of Ruby’s life will take place at High Prairie United Methodist Church on Tuesday, Aug. 26, at 10 a.m. with burial immediately following at High Prairie Cemetery.
To honor Ruby, everyone in attendance is asked to wear purple. Memorial contributions can be left in Ruby’s name to The High Prairie United Methodist Church and may be left with Countryside Funeral Home. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Countryside Funeral Home.
