Ruby Josephine Kammerer died January 29, 2022 in Helena, Montana following a heart attack two weeks earlier.  She was born July 22, 1921 in La Piedad de Cabadas, Michoacán, Mexico, to Martín Mendoza and Concepción Cervantes. She was baptized María Guadalupe on July 25th, 1921 at Santuario del Señor de La Piedad.  Her godparents were Rafael Cázares and Concepción Flores. Her family emigrated from Mexico and lived in Kilgore, TX, August 1921 to December 1922 during which time her father, a railroad worker died and was buried in Clovis, NM, November 8, 1922. She was then raised by her grandfather Vicente Cervantes and widowed mother.  Together they lived with her aunt Jesús Cervantes Galvan and uncle José María Cervantes.  Her family then lived in Amarillo, TX from December 1922 to May 1923 later moving to Huntley Project, MT in May 1923 where they worked on various beet farms.  One of her teachers unfamiliar with Spanish thought "Lupe" was trying to say "Ruby" and so her name changed. In November 1942, Ruby's family moved into Billings, MT where they lived for many years on the southside.

Ruby earned her diploma from the Sisters of Charity School of Nursing, St. Vincent Hospital, Billings, MT, in 1947; her Nursing Education, B.S. Degree, from Carroll College, Helena, MT, in 1955; and later she studied Admin. Nursing Education, earning an M.S.N. Degree from Catholic University of America, Washington, D.C. in 1959. Thereafter began her 39 year nursing career as pediatrics staff nurse at St. Vincent's Hospital, Billings, MT; as a supervisor/clinical pediatrics instructor at Carroll College (St. Vincent's Hospital Unit), Helena, MT; as a part-time staff nurse at Washington Medical Center, in Wash. D.C.; as an assistant professor at Montana State University; and then as an instructor at Warm Springs State Hospital and later as a staff nurse/instructor at various hospitals in St. Louis, MO.  She also served as state secretary, District 5 treasurer and District 4 president for state nursing associations in Missouri and Montana.  In 1986 she retired from Fort Harrison Veterans Administration Hospital as Associate Chief of Nursing Service for Education.

Fr. James Kittleson introduced Ruby to Edward Joseph Kammerer and later officiated their wedding in May 1961 at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church in Billings, MT. In June 1961 Edward received a Fulbright Fellowship to teach at the National University in Paraguay. Their marriage almost ended as Ruby did not want to leave her family in Montana. Her mom "Concha" however insisted Ruby follow her husband.  Her homesickness eventually was lessened by the birth of their only child James, an active social life in Asunción, and teaching English at the Centro Cultural Paraguayo-Americano.

A strong love of God, her family, rural life, and the recent arrival of her only grandchild Xavier probably account for Ruby's longevity. Ruby practiced her faith in a very decentralized way: she would consecrate her own holy water, bless family members or friends wanting spiritual assistance, pray the rosary, and acknowledge out loud the divine presence throughout the day, e.g. "¡Bendito sea Dios! ¡Bendito sea su Santo Nombre!" Ruby would also speak boldly/skeptically on social/political issues. Family-wise, she and Ed loved attending family gatherings in Montana, S. Dakota, Idaho, Illinois, California, Germany, and Mexico. Dirt-wise, she and Ed were forever true to their agricultural roots.  Together they propagated lots of hardy Zone 4 fruit, planted gardens, wrangled chickens/guineas, and were active in several state conservation organizations.

Ruby is survived by her son, James Kammerer, daughter-in-law Tegan Maynard Hahn, grandson Xavier Emil Kammerer, adopted son Ralph and daughter-in-law Judi, sisters-in-law Arlene (Earl) Boetker, Rosie (Bob) Liston, brothers-in-law Marvin (Joy), Monk, John (Lee), and Jake (Anita) Kammerer, and numerous nephews, nieces, and cousins whom she very much loved.  Ruby is preceded in death by her sisters Marcella, Hilda (Epifanio) Hilario, Rose, and her brother Martín Mendoza, sisters-in-law Joan (Morris) Kline, Deloris (Al) Komarek, Shirley (Ellis) Harbin, and Eva (Bob) McAllister, father-in-law Fred Kammerer, mother-in-law Susan Endres, maternal grandparents Vicente Cervantes and María Perez, maternal great grandparents José María Cervantes and Refugia Espinoza, paternal grandparents Antonio Mendoza and Cesária Gallardo, uncles Guadalupe Mendoza, Genaro Mendoza, Octaviano Cervantes, Jose María Cervantes, and aunts Jesús Cervantes Galvan, María Cervantes, and Christina Cervantes.

Ruby's family is deeply grateful for the care and friendship of staff and residents at Hunters Pointe Retirement Center, Angel Care, Encompass Hospice, and BeeHive Assisted Living in Helena, MT.

Burial for Ruby will be late July 2022 at Elk Vale Cemetery near Rapid City, South Dakota.