Ruby L. Johnson, age 89, of Mott, ND peacefully passed away on Saturday evening, July 14, 2018, at the Mott Good Samaritan Society Nursing Home, surrounded by her loving family.

The Funeral Service for Ruby will be on Monday, July 23, 2018, at 10:00 am MDT at Trinity Lutheran Church in Mott with Pastor John Amundson officiating.    After a time of fellowship and luncheon, the burial will be at 3:00 pm CDT at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery, south of Mandan, ND.

Visitation will be on Sunday, July 22 ^nd , from 1-7pm followed by a service for family and friends at 7pm, all at the Evanson Jensen Funeral Home in Mott.

July 25, 1928, Ruby Lorraine Overland was the first girl to be born to Roy and Laurentza (Edland) Overland in Parshall, ND.  She was often left in charge of the children for a week at a time while her parents travelled to find work where they could.  Their only mode of heat was a pot belly stove which none of the children were allowed to light.

Ruby's family moved to Northern Minnesota while she was in her teens.  It was there, in a coffee shop where she worked, that Ruby's brother, who was in the Navy, introduced her to a young man, Dean B. Johnson, who was his ship mate.  They were married on December 6, 1947 in a Lutheran Church in Clearbrook, MN.

When Dean was discharged from the Navy they moved to Hettinger, ND where Ruby worked in a dentist's office while Dean apprenticed in watch making under his uncle, Matt Halvorson.  They had their first child, Sandra Mae, while living in Hettinger.  Two years later, Dean's uncle opened another jewelry store in Regent and appointed Dean as the manager.  While in Regent, Ruby worked in a butcher/grocery store. Their second child, Daniel Dean, was born in 1954.

When Ruby and Dean's oldest child, Sandy, was six, Dean's Uncle Matt decided to close the store in Regent and open one in Mott. They moved during the fall and both of them worked in the store, while living in the back.  Working side by side they grew the business and eventually bought the store from Dean's uncle. Ruby's keen sense of business while working with people and Dean's experience in watch making saw the jewelry store grow. In 1968 they relocated to a larger building.  Lansford Lynn, their third child was born in 1959. Ruby took care of the new home they purchased in West Mott, raised the children, and worked at the store.

Early in Ruby's life she wanted to become a medical missionary but didn't have the opportunity.  Faith was a strong part of her life – teaching Sunday School, serving in the women's group and helping anyone who needed assistance. Sunday dinners were an event and often included community members, most often the Pastor and his family.

Her powerful sense of family was instilled in each of her children; grandchildren and great- grandchildren were important to her.  She always asked what they were doing when she talked with them and enjoyed their talents.  Her oldest granddaughter, Kris, moved to Mott over 20 years ago and they supported one another.

The community was important to her, particularly those connected with the arts.  Ruby played guitar as a teenager and later started painting in oils. She supported young people in their pursuit of any art discipline.  She was proud of serving as Hettinger County Fundraising Chair, of the Sister Kenny Institute, being a 60 year member of the American Legion Auxiliary, and Johnson Jewelry, which she operated when Dean began delivering mail. The business thrived with customers coming from beyond the state.

Grateful for having shared in Ruby's life are her children, Sandy (Bob) Brunelle, Lethbridge, AB, Canada; Dan (Carol) Johnson, Nampa, ID; and Lanny Johnson, Mott, ND; 9 grandchildren, J.P. (Erin) Brunelle, Kris Brunelle, Mike (Jenn) Brunelle, Dain (Sonia) Johnson, Amy (Shawn) Kay, Alex, Westley, Cassandra, and Alivia Johnson;  7 great-grandchildren, Kaj, Thor, Parker, Ella, Evan, Kayla, and Alyssa; and sister-in-law Regina Overland, Fergus Falls. MN.

Ruby was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Dean, twin brothers Bert and Marvin, brothers Theron, Ingaman, John, Larry, infant brother Donald, sister Grace, several infant siblings, and sisters-in-law Janet, Marlene, and Roma.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the Mott Gallery of History and Art.