Ruby Vaa

Ruby Vaa, age 86, of McIntosh, MN, passed away on Tuesday (May 8th) at MeritCare Hospital in Fargo, ND. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday (May 14th) at Mount Carmel Free Lutheran Church in McIntosh with the Rev. Dale Mellgren officiating. Interment will be in Our Savior's Lutheran Cemetery, McIntosh. Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. with a 7:00 p.m. prayer service on Sunday (May 13th) at the McIntosh Community Center in McIntosh. There will also be reviewal for one hour prior to the service on Monday at the church. Arrangements are with the Carlin-Hoialmen Funeral Home, serving McIntosh. Sympathy messages may be sent at www.carlinhoialmen.com.Ruby Louise Irene Brokke was born on September 19, 1920 in Bemidji, Minnesota to parents Tom and Bessie (Edwards) Brokke. She was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith. Ruby grew up in McIntosh and graduated from McIntosh High School in 1938. She then attended and graduated from Aaker's Business College in Grand Forks, North Dakota. Ruby was united in marriage to Arnold Vaa on January 16, 1944. After their marriage, they lived and raised their family in the McIntosh area. Ruby was employed at the ASCS office in McIntosh for 26 years until her retirement in 1982. Following her retirement, Ruby and Arnold continued to live on their farm north of McIntosh. Arnold passed away on June 26, 2004. They had been married for over 60 years at the time of Arnold's passing. Ruby then continued to live on the farm with her son, Don. She was a charter member of Mount Carmel Free Lutheran Church in McIntosh where she was active in WMF. She had also been active in the King Town Homemaker's for many years. Ruby loved to travel, especially to warm climates and Arnold and Ruby spent many winters in the south following their retirements. She also enjoyed fishing, camping, cooking, baking, leisure crafts, reading and spending time with her children and grandchildren.Ruby passed away on Tuesday, May 8, 2007 at MeritCare Hospital in Fargo, North Dakota at the age of 86 years, seven months and 19 days.Surviving her with fondest memories include her two children, Nancy (Larry) Grade of New Leipzig, ND, and Donald Vaa of McIntosh; four grandchildren, Ryan of West Fargo, ND, Beth of Grand Forks, ND (UND), Heidi of Fargo, ND (NDSU), and Holli of Fargo, ND (NDSU); one sister, Shirlee (Kenneth) Hansen of McIntosh; sister-in-law, Margaret Storlie of Minneapolis, MN; four nieces and nephews, Mike Hansen of McIntosh, Shelley (Hansen) Croone of Northfield, MN, Barb (Vaa) Gully of Casselberry, FL, and Janice (Vaa) Schreiber of Torrington, Alberta, Canada. Numerous cousins also survive.She was preceded in death by her husband, Arnold; her parents; sister and brother-in-law, Wally and Pearl Vaa; and brother-in-law, Harley Storlie. Honorary Pallbearers will be Ruby's grandchildren-Ryan, Beth, Heidi and HolliActive Pallbearers will be Ron Roed, Clayton Bartz, Mark Hartel, Gary Hartel, Bud Kiecker, Mike Hansen, Roy Raben, Keith Raben, and Jim Lee.