Ruby Nordrum

Ruby Alma Nordrum 89, of Choteau, MT, died peacefully on April 25, 2025.

She was born in Sebewaing, Michigan, August 1, 1935 to Harold John Gremel and Edna Druncella, the third of ten children. Her dad was a prominent area farmer. Ruby worked hard on the farm, tasks ranging from riding the tractors, to hoeing the fields. It is suspected this sparked her hatred of weeding and more importantly her work ethic.

Ruby attended Sebewaing High School, then went onto attend Central Michigan College where she received her Bachelor of Science - Summa Cum Laude in Education. After graduating college in 1957 she continued her education, receiving her Master of Science degree from the University of Illinois.

Ruby and John had known each other in high school, later reconnecting after Ruby's time in school, and John's time in the Merchant Marines, they married. The couple then made the decision a couple of years later to move West. They found themselves in the Stocket/Sand Coulee area. After some time there and the arrival of three children they located the perfect little farm in Simms, MT. John was a Math teacher at Charles M. Russell High School in Great Falls and Ruby remained home caring for their children and the farm. Together they raised five children. Ruby found the most peace in the early mornings, milking cows and listening to the Paul Harvey broadcast on the barn radio.

After the high school graduations of Kathje, Raandi and Sonja, Ruby apparently found herself needing more to do and took up employment with the Hamilton Ranch. She stayed on at the ranch through an ownership change to William Moore. Ruby absolutely enjoyed what she did there, bookkeeping and yard work, and remained an employee for 27 years, retiring at the age of 80. This is now known as the Broken O Ranch.

In April of 2020, she lost her husband John and moved in next door to her daughter Kathje (Mitch). She lived there for two years before moving in with her daughter Kellje (Karl) for her final two years.

Ruby was proceeded in death by her husband, John; sisters June Schram and Carol Orin; a brother Gary Gremel.

She is survived by her children Kathje (Mitch) Griffis, Raandi (Kirk) Miller, Sonja (Bill) Peebles, John (Jennifer) Nordrum, Kellje (Karl) Ackerman; Sisters Diane (Ken) Weiss, Joyce (David) Bright; Brothers Harold Jr, Roger, Richard, and Dennis Gremel; Sister-in-law Sonja (Larry) Johnson; Brother-in-law Mark Nordrum; 10 grandsons and 2 great-granddaughters.

We would like to thank a few wonderful people who helped us with mom in the last couple of years. Kate Stott, thank you for staying with mom while Kellje (Karl) went to visit his mom. Thank you to Stillwater Hospice and their amazing team of caregivers for their assistance in the last year. Also, thank you to Teton Peaks Assisted Living for their care in her final two and a half months.

Mom truly loved to work and we are so thankful to all the people that made it enjoyable for her. Per her wishes there will be no funeral service, but a scattering of ashes by family at a later date.

Cremation has taken place under the care and direction of Frontier Funeral Home in Choteau, Montana.