Ruby Telgemeier, 98, passed away peacefully on January 6, 2022, at Oak Grove Nursing and Rehab in Oak Grove, Missouri.

  She was born August 23, 1923 and grew up on the family farm south of Levasy, Missouri. Her life’s work was taking care of people. While still in school she helped Dr. L. W. Higgins and wife Mary Martha, who was his nurse, care for their daughter Jeannine while they were working at their Doctor’s Office in Buckner. She then went for Nurses Training and began her career as a nurse and became Director of Nurses at the original Lakeside Hospital in Kansas City, Missouri (was located at 2801 Flora overlooking Troost Lake). She later went back to school part-time, received her R.N. and worked as a nurse at a small Plaza Hospital founded by a small group of physicians including Dr. Higgins, until it closed. Then she went to Park Lane Medical Center on Raytown Rd, Independence. On her days off and unscheduled hours she would help at Dr. Higgins’ office, Ashwood Clinic, and work with her friend, Bea Clark to help run the office and care for patients. After she retired from full-time work, she continued working part-time at Nursing Homes and some weekends at Ray County Memorial Hospital in Richmond, Missouri where her niece worked.

  Ruby always had an open door with Dr. Higgins’ grandchildren, Kim, Leonard and Garrick staying with her from time to time. Later she took in the great-grandchildren, Martha and Chris as small children and gave them love and a home until they were grown and continued to care for Martha and her children and some of her friends as long as she was able. When she needed some assistance, she moved to Bristol Manor in Oak Grove where she tended to help out, clearing the table and helping a couple of the older ladies. One was a 100-year-old who Ruby would go with on short outdoor walks, just to look after her. Her life was about caring for others. After a broken hip in September of 2013, she moved to Oak Grove Nursing and Rehab where she lived out her days.

  Ruby grew up in, was confirmed, and became a member of the Ebenezer Evangelical and Reformed Church at Levasy. She remained a member there for many years. She later attended other churches closer to where she lived.

  Ruby was preceded in death by her parents Walter and Lena Telgemeier; brother Julius Telgemeier and wife Bernice; sister Marylin Stoenner and husband Donald.

  Though she never married or had children she is survived by a niece and nephews: Norman Telgemeier (Carolyn); Mike Stoenner (April); Brenda Fehrenbach (Ron); Rick Stoenner (Pam, recently deceased); Leon Telgemeier (Barb); and also by several great-nieces, great-nephews, great-great-nieces, and great-great-nephews.

  Due to the COVID pandemic a small service will be held at a later date to celebrate her life. Burial will be in Ebenezer Church Cemetery. Memorials may be made to: Ebenezer UCC, Levasy; Oak Grove Nursing and Rehab; or Beacon of Hope Hospice, Oak Grove.

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