Ruby Wicks

HUSON - Ruby Wicks passed away Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2009, as the result of a fall at her home in the Ninemile area.





She was born May 18, 1927, in Valparaiso, Neb., to John and Grace Lehman. At the age of 14, she moved to Montana with her family. They settled in the Three Mile area of the Bitterroot valley. Ruby attended school in Stevensville, graduating from high school in 1945.





On May 3, 1946, she married the love of her life Ray Wicks. They would remain married and in love for the rest of their lives.





After fulfilling her commitment to be a stay-at-home mom until all of her four children were in school, Ruby went to work at Community Hospital, first in the kitchen then in the laundry as a seamstress where she worked until her retirement. Ruby was known as a faithful employee who always worked diligently at every task she was given.





Among Ruby’s favorite pastimes were camping and fishing with her family. After their retirement, Ruby and Ray would spend two months every other summer in Alaska fishing the rivers of the Kenai Peninsula for salmon. During each trip she would can enough salmon to last them for the next two years. If they weren’t in Alaska they were at their cabin at Lake Mary Ronan or camping and fishing the lakes and rivers of Montana.





Ruby was the epitome of the housewife of her era. She had a gift when it came to raising kids, raising flower gardens, sewing, knitting sweaters and cooking. (I know everyone thinks their mom is the best cook ever, but our mom really was.)





Ruby was a faithful and dedicated wife and mother. She spent much of 2006 by her husband’s side in his battle with cancer. Many trips to doctors and hospitals sharing in Ray’s victories and sufferings with hardly a complaint. Her commitment and support for him as well as for all her children and grandchildren was extraordinary. Ruby was extremely strong-willed and independent. One of her greatest fears was that she would be a burden to her family. She never was. Although we will all miss her very much, we have comfort in knowing she is at peace and with the love of her life.





Ruby was preceded in death by her parents; a brother Arnold Lehman; sister Verda Grenfell; and her husband Ray.





Survivors include her brothers Jack Lehman and his wife Carol, Robert Lehman and his wife Marguerite and John Lehman and his wife Delores; a sister Shirley Farra and her husband Leroy; three sons, Lenny Wicks and his wife Mary Lee of Missoula, Ernie Wicks and his wife Vicki of Hamilton and Martin Wicks of Huson; and one daughter Tricia and her husband Mike Gould of Frenchtown; grandchildren Geoffrey Wicks and his wife Heather of Bozeman, Shannon Wicks of Hamilton, Andrew Wicks of Missoula, Aimee Wicks of Missoula and Nylene Wicks of Alaska. She is also survived by her loving 105 pound puppy dog “Duke” who was her loyal companion for the past two years.





Visitation will be 5-7 p.m. Thursday Feb. 19.





Memorial services will be at 10 a.m. Friday, Feb. 20, at Sunset Memorial Gardens. A reception will be immediately following. Burial will follow the reception and will take place at The Western Montana State Veteran’s Cemetery located just north of Big Sky High School at 1911 Tower St. Missoula.





In lieu of flowers, a memorial donation in Ruby’s name may be made to an animal shelter or animal rescue mission of the donor’s choice.






Read Ruby Wicks's Obituary and Guestbook.