Obituary of Ruby Ann Jonsson

RUBY ANN JONSSON Services will be held in Ben Lomond on Friday for Ruby Ann Jonsson who died peacefully at her home in Spokane, Washington on May 6, 2011 at the age of 87. Born in Ladysmith, Wisconsin on March 28, 1924, she soon moved west with her family, settling in Oregon as a young girl. During WW II, she helped her country as a welder in the South Portland shipyards, building Liberty cargo ships for the U.S. Merchant Marine. She was one of the historic "Rosie the Riveters," although she preferred the nickname "Ruby the Welderette." Ruby lived in many places including Oregon, Washington, Utah, Idaho, and Colorado, finally settling with her husband, Arthur Matteson, and her children in Santa Cruz, California in 1968. She was widowed in 1973, and married Egon Jonsson in 1975. In 1982 she retired as a real estate broker for Merit-McBride in Scotts Valley and move to Paradise California. Ruby loved to play tennis and was very active in The Senior Olympics, where she and Egon won numerous medals. She was a devoted and active member of the L.D.S. Church where she selflessly served the world by answering her many Callings. Throughout her life she was the family role model for devotion to family, church, and community; for strong work ethics and passion for living. She leaves these lessons as gifts that her family will forever cherish. She is survived by her five children, Olive Molinari and Don Matteson of Magalia, CA; Dennis Matteson of Spokane, WA; Deborah Hanchett of Clayton, CA; and Monty Matteson, of Felton, CA. plus thirteen grandchildren; and thirteen great-grandchildren. She also leaves nine step-children; Arthur Matteson, Gayle Ray, George Neuhart, Ulla Steele, Karin Polischeck, Gert Jonsson, Mimmi Jonsson, Claes Jonsson and Steven Jonsson. She was preceded in death by her three husbands, Cory Kyle, Arthur C. Matteson (1973), and Egon Valfrid Jonsson (2010). Friends may pay their respects at Benito and Azzaro Pacific Gardens Chapel in Santa Cruz on Thursday, May 12, 2011 from 12 noon to 5 p.m. The funeral service will be held at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, 9434 Central Avenue, Ben Lomond, on Friday, May 13, 2011 beginning at 10 a.m. A reception will be held at the church following the ceremony. A private burial will be held at Felton District Cemetery.