In Memory of Ruby Ida Mae Friedrichsen

Ruby Ida Mae Friedrichsen, age 96, of Odebolt, Iowa, passed away on Friday, August 8, 2025, at the Odebolt Specialty Care of Odebolt, Iowa.

A Funeral Service will be held at 10:30 a.m., Monday, August 18, 2025, at the Immanuel Lutheran Church of Schleswig, Iowa. Rev. Merle Mahnken will officiate. Committal services will follow in the Morgan Township Cemetery of Schleswig, Iowa.

A Visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., Sunday, August 17, 2025, at the Christensen-Van Houten Funeral Home of Odebolt, Iowa.

The Christensen-Van Houten Funeral Home of Odebolt, Iowa, is in charge of the funeral arrangements.  Condolences may be sent online at www.christensenvanhouten.com

Ruby Ida Mae (Schultz) Friedrichsen was born on February 24, 1929, on the home place west of Kiron, Iowa, to parents of Walter and Emma (Johannsen) Schultz.

Ruby received her education in the Otter Creek #2 School. After graduating 8^th grade, she worked at home. On December 4, 1947, Ruby married Clarence Friedrichsen in the St. John Lutheran Church in Stockholm Township, Kiron, Iowa.

The couple commenced in farming in 1949 and the couple purchased a farm near Kiron in 1961, where they farmed and raised their three children Lois, Neal, and Ross. Ruby loved to travel, her most memorable being a trip to Washington D.C. with a tour through the White House and trips to Hawaii.

In her spare time, Ruby was an avid baker and accomplished cook. She loved trying new recipes and entertaining family and friends. She also loved camping, fishing, needle point, all flowers, and sharing the fruits of her labor from her garden. 

Survivors include Ruby’s daughter Lois (Mitch) Bengford of Odebolt, IA; daughter-in-law Becky Friedrichsen of Wall Lake, IA; grandchildren: April Roeder of Odebolt, IA, Wendy (Mike) Stern of Goodyear, AZ, Cole (Shelbi) Bengford of Odebolt, IA, Angie (Jason) Clark of Ankeny, IA, Kelly (Eric Bieber) Friedrichsen of Cedar Rapids, IA, Casey (Rachel) Friedrichsen of Odebolt, IA, and Devin (Dani) Friedrichsen of Odebolt, IA; 15 great-grandchildren; sister-in-law Joyleen (Dennis) Swanson of Steamboat Springs, CO; many nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.

Ruby was preceded in death by her parents Walter and Emma Schultz; husband Clarence Friedrichsen; sons Neal Friedrichsen and Ross Friedrichsen; and all of her siblings.