Ruby Ayala

Funeral services for Ruby Ayala, 74, will be 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, February 1, 2017 at Stevenson Funeral Home, Ekalaka, MT.


Family will be receiving friends from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m., Tuesday, January 31, 2017 at the Funeral Home with a Prayer service being held at 6:00 p.m.


Ruby passed away Thursday, January 26, 2017 at Dahl Memorial Healthcare, Ekalaka, MT.


Ruby Lou Dean Hoefer was born September 30, 1942 in Hettinger, ND, the daughter of John and Ruby (Atteberry) Hoefer.  She grew up and attended school in Prairie City, SD and later moved with her family to Spearfish, SD where she finished her schooling.  On July 27, 1958, Ruby and Merle Coleman were united in marriage in Belle Fourche, SD.  To this union four children were born:  Lois, William, Jana & Patricia.  Together, they raised their family in western SD and southeastern MT.  Later, Ruby married Art and the family moved to Capital, MT where they raised the four children.  She later moved to Belle Fourche, SD for many years.  In 2000, Ruby moved to Ekalaka where she worked as a CNA at Dahl Memorial Health Care; she remained in Ekalaka after her retirement.


Ruby enjoyed crocheting, cribbage, gardening, embroidery, reading her Bible, knitting and cooking large meals for families.  Her simple pleasures came from Tig’s costumes and spending time with her special boy, Adrian.  All of Ruby’s grandkids and great-grandkids had a very special place in her heart.


Ruby is survived by her daughters, Lois “Toots” Coleman of Gillette, WY, Jan (DuAllen “Hawkeye”) Tichi of Belle Fourche, SD and Pat (Jerry) Kalstrom of Ekalaka, MT; daughter-in-law, Joy (Kirk) Slack; grandchildren, Mandy (Chris) Coleman, Ekalaka MT, Michael (Trish) Stieg, Gillette WY, Ashley (Braxton) Bales, Gillette WY, John (Lisa) Kalstrom, Bowman ND, Summer (Brad) Humbracht, Hot Springs SD, Bill (Charlotte) Kalstrom, Ekalaka, MT, MAK (Kylie) Kalstrom, Metaline, WA, Jonathan Tichi, Belle Fourche SD, Falina (Eric) Selchert, Belle Fourche, SD, Rebecca Slack, Southerland NE; 24 great-grandchildren; brother, Thomas Hoefer, Albuquerque NM; sister, Shirley Morgan Albuquerque, NM; sister-in-law, Sherrie Hoefer, Craig CO and numerous nieces and nephews.


She is preceded in death by her parents; son, William “Bill” Coleman; brothers, John Hoefer, Jr., James Hoefer; sister, Sheila Chambers, and granddaughter, Kieza Tichi.


ayala ruby


Burial Date: February 1, 2017

Funeral Service:  11:00 a.m., Wednesday, February 1, 2017 at Stevenson Funeral Home, Ekalaka, MT
Family Receiving Friends:  4:00 – 6:00 p.m., Tuesday, January 31, 2017 at Stevenson Funeral Home, Ekalaka, MT
Prayer Service:  6:00 p.m., Tuesday, January 31, 2017 at Stevenson Funeral Home, Ekalaka, MT
Visitation will continue on Wednesday, from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.