Ruby Marie Mertens, age 79, passed away peacefully at Country Meadows in Grass Lake, Michigan on December 9, 2021.

She was born on February 20, 1942, in Denver, Colorado, the daughter of Emily R. (Ogg) and Vincent J. Mertens. Her father joined the Navy after Pearl Harbor was bombed and was deployed shortly after her birth. After the war, the family moved to work on a ranch in Eastern Colorado. When Ruby was a young girl, her mom contracted polio. Ruby being the eldest girl took the role of caring for her three siblings until they were all sent to different friends and family members for a period of time. She used to tell stories of her mother killing rattlesnakes on their front porch with her cane after she recovered from polio.

Ruby graduated from South High School in Denver, Colorado. She graduated one weekend in 1960, married the following weekend at 18, had her first daughter 15 months later at 19, and her second daughter 13 months later at 20. She enjoyed learning, was an avid reader and writer, and graduated with a BA later in life.

Ruby loved her time on the ranch and would eventually live out her dream of owning her own ranch - raising and riding horses. She was an awarded endurance rider on her Arabians for many years, especially after she retired from the Air Reserve Personnel Center at Lowry Air Force Base in Denver, Colorado on February 20, 2001. She moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico where she shared her passion for horses with her daughter, Lynda. They traveled to multi-day rides all over the Southwest with Tarpan and Touche´, Arabians born and raised by Ruby. She spent endless hours riding with her many horse-back riding friends and family primarily in Colorado, New Mexico and Texas.

She had a love for all animals especially her numerous Chihuahuas (4), cats and horses. Her wish of passing “before Teddy goes” came to fruition. She also loved plants, especially violets, and her green thumb was the envy of many. Ruby was an avid crafter, sewer and quilter - she was president of her New Mexico quilting chapter.

Ruby is survived by her daughters, Lynda Latta (Micheal O’Malley) and LouAnn Eder (Jeff), brother, Maurice Mertens (Millie), sister, Dorothy Allison (Chuck), many nieces, nephews, grand-nieces, and grand-nephews, as well as members of her “Michigan Family.”

Ruby always had a smile for her many friends, caregivers, and family. She was never one to complain or fret. She loved to talk and share stories, as well as travel.

The family would like to thank all of her caregivers over the past 6 years for their special care, especially the excellent care she received by her caregivers at Country Meadows.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Meals on Wheels, Chelsea Senior Center, 512 Washington St., Chelsea, Michigan, 48118.

Arrangements by Staffan-Mitchell Funeral Home, Chelsea.