Ruby Ostenaa

Ruby Ostenaa, age 80, of McIntosh, MN, passed away on Saturday (May 5th) at Essentia Hospital in Fosston, MN. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday (May 12th) at Our Savior's Lutheran Church in McIntosh with Pastor Ryan Rasmussen officiating. Interment will be in Vernes Lutheran Cemetery, rural McIntosh. Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. with a 7:00 p.m. prayer service on Friday (May 11th) at the McIntosh Community Center in McIntosh. Arrangements are with the Carlin-Hoialmen Funeral Home, serving McIntosh and messages of condolence may be sent at carlinhoialmen.com. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred.Ruby Veronica Thompson was born on May 31, 1931 in Hill River Township, Minnesota to parents Gilbert and Violet (Evenson) Thompson. She grew up in Hill River Township and attended the Lindsay country school through the eighth grade. She then attended McIntosh High School, graduating in 1950. During her school years, Ruby worked at the Felix Café in McIntosh.Ruby was married to Kim Christopherson on September 9, 1950. After their marriage, they lived in McIntosh and Ruby raised her family and also worked at the McIntosh Bakery. They purchased the Home Café in McIntosh in 1962 and operated it until 1965 at which time they took over ownership of the Felix Café. Kim passed away on February 20, 1971. She continued ownership and management of the café until 1979.She was united in marriage to Stanley Ostenaa on February 24, 1979. She and Stanley lived in McIntosh and took ownership of Flapjack County USA in McIntosh until she sold the business and retired in 1997. She was a restaurant owner for over 30 years. After her retirement, she continued to be an active member of the community, including eight years as the manager of the Senior Meals site.Ruby was a member of Our Savior's Lutheran Church, past board member of Inter County Community Council, was active in 4-H, Lutheran Social Services, McIntosh V.F.W. Auxiliary (past President), McIntosh Library Board, and the Mac Booster Club. She was also instrumental in starting the Senior Meals program in McIntosh and was head cook at the site for many years. Ruby was voted as the first woman on the McIntosh City Council and the first woman elected Mayor of McIntosh. She also received a prestigious award from Land O' Lakes and was once named McIntosh Business Woman of the Year. Her passions were cooking, baking and reading. Ruby will be greatly missed by her family and her community.Survivors include her husband, Stanley of McIntosh; daughter, Marcy Wessman of Duluth, MN; and son, Mike "Kilmer" (Dianne) Christopherson of McIntosh; grandchildren, Christopher Burslie of Seoul, South Korea, Jill (Brett) Schulz of Crookston, MN, and Samantha Christopherson of McIntosh; five great grandchildren, Elizabeth Wohllaib, Chase Burslie, Haley Burslie, and Katelynn and Taylor Schulz; sisters, Grace Francis of Detroit Lakes, MN, Leona Humphrey of New Brighton, MN, and Vicki Dishman of Wisconsin; brothers-in-law, Roy Ostenaa (Mary) and Gordie (Cindy) Ostenaa of, all of McIntosh. Numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Kim; brothers, Sid Thompson and Cliff Thompson; brothers-in-law, Paul Dishman, Bill Francis, and Philip Ostenaa; and sister-in-law, Gladys Olson.