Ruby Engelke

Ruby M. Engelke, 92, of Platteville died on Sunday, November 23, 2014 at Gray's Nursing Home, Platteville. Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, November 26, 2014 at First English Lutheran Church, Platteville. Rev. Michael Short will officiate. Burial will be at the Belmont Cemetery. Friends may call from 4:00 – 8:00 p.m. Tuesday at the Melby Funeral Home & Crematory, Platteville, or from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service on Wednesday at the church. Memorials may be made to the Ruby M. Engelke Memorial Fund. Online condolences can be made at www.melbyfh.com

Ruby was born on August 21, 1922 in Belmont, Wisconsin the daughter of Oscar and Mary Katherine “Katie” (Rowe) Nicholas. She was united in marriage to Paul Engelke on June 15, 1942 at First English Lutheran Church, Platteville. He preceded her in death and Ruby is reunited with Paul now. Ruby graduated from Belmont High School in 1940. She worked at the Burgess Battery Factory, Platteville Hospital, UW-Platteville. For many years she worked at Dick's Grocery Store, in the deli before going to work with her son, Gary, at Hometowne Bakery, Platteville. She was a member of First English Lutheran Church, Platteville. She enjoyed playing cards and socializing. She always enjoyed a good game of cribbage and keeping in touch with her family through her computer and iPad. She was the most awesome MOM anybody could have. Her mantra was, “If you can't say anything nice, then don't say anything at all.” She was seldom silent. She could make a meal out of nothing at all. Amazing!! She started quilting at age 60, and made many, many quilts. We're all warmer for it.
She is survived by her children, Roger (Ann) of Marion, NC; Sandi (Scott Tonk) Reichling of North Fort Myers, FL; Milton (Virginia Lehman) of Lebanon, OR; Marvin (Elaine) of Blanchardville, WI; Gary (Eileen) of Platteville; Gale (Rhonda Harbin) of Powell, TN; Cindy (Alan) McReynolds of Fairport, NY; 14 grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren; 1 great-great-grandson; brothers, Warren (Dordy) Nicholas of Belmont, WI; and Beryl Nicholas of Mesa, AZ; brother/sisters-in-law, Tom & Joyce Tracy and Jeanne Engelke. Ruby was preceded in death also by her parents, infant son, Russell, son-in-law, Gaylord Reichling, and her brother and sister-in-law, Walter and Marie Nicholas.