Ruby Mehlhaff

Ruby Mae Phillips Mehlhaff, age 98, passed away on Thursday, March 27, 2025, at Aase Haugen in Decorah, Iowa.

A family memorial service will be held at a later date and burial will be in Murphys, CA.

Ruby was born on Nov. 27, 1926, to Howard James and Ruby Violet Phillips in Dos Palos, CA, joining older brother Howard Edward. Another brother followed later, Russell Herbert. She graduated from Shandon High School in 1944 and then attended Stockton Junior College and San Jose State College, graduating with a teaching degree in 1949.  She taught elementary school for a couple of years, then married Wilmer Mehlhaff on August 23, 1951. Three daughters were born to them: Deanne, Danise, and Dorene. After her youngest started Kindergarten, Ruby went back to teaching in The Mt. Diablo School District in Concord, CA as a "Home Teacher" for children who were unable to attend school because of illness or injury.

Ruby loved the Lord and was very active in her Church the Community Covenant Church of Pittsburg, CA, and then later the Antioch Covenant Church, as a Sunday School Teacher, Sunday School Superintendent, Covenant Women President, and Church Secretary. She also served on the Board of Christian Education for the Pacific Southwest Conference of the Evangelical Covenant Church. After retirement, Ruby and Wilmer moved to Arnold, CA where they built a lovely home on a mountainside and attended Chapel in the Pines where they were very active. Ruby headed up the Nursery Dept., lining up volunteers for services. She also helped with the Senior Lunch program. They moved to Angels Camp to live at Foothill Village Senior Living in 2016. Wilmer died in December 2020 and then Ruby moved to Decorah, IA to live with her daughter Deanne. She went to live at Aase Haugen Senior Services in September of 2023 and resided there until her death.

She is survived by her daughters Deanne (Don) Holmertz of Decorah, IA, Danise (Jeff) Rapetti of Pilot Hill, CA, Dorene (Mike) Buegler of Thousand Oaks, CA, 9 grandchildren (their spouses) and 7 great grandchildren.

Ruby was preceded in death by her husband, parents and brothers.