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O'Brien, Ruby F. Keffer
Ruby F. Keffer O'Brien, 97, passed away peacefully with her family present at Heritage Nursing and Rehabilitation Center on Monday morning, April 8, 2013. A Celebration of Ruby's Life will be held at 2:30 p.m. Wednesday at Papich-Kuba Funeral Home East, 1228 Second St. SE, with the Rev. Craig Peters, Saint Mark's United Methodist Church officiating. Friends may call after 1:30 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home.
Ruby is survived by two sons, Jim (Jeannie) Lane of Cedar Rapids and John “Pat” (Carol) O'Brien of Mount Pleasant; 13 grandchildren, Cindy (Kevin) Lawler, Joel (Heather) Keim, Dawn (Chris) Martin, Debbie (Mike) Himmelsbach, Mike Lane, Darcey (Tim) Chisholm, Dana (Matt) Lane-Geuther, Denise (Brent) Fillenworth, Scot (Anna) Lane, Jeremy (Terry) O'Brien, John (Denise) O'Brien, Shawn O'Brien and Mary O'Brien; 31 great-grandchildren; four great-great-grandchildren; sister, Leah Cook of Independence; daughter-in-law, Char Lane of Florida; and sister-in-law, Betty Keffer of Cedar Rapids.
She was preceded in death by her husband, George O'Brien; daughter, Judy Gallagher; son, Jerry Lane; granddaughter, Kristen; parents; six brothers; and two sisters.
Ruby was born April 10, 1915, at Lewis, Iowa, the daughter of John P. and Lottie C. (Wheeler) Keffer. Ruby moved to Cedar Rapids in 1941 and was a waitress, retiring after 20 years at the Home Port.
She was a member of Saint Mark's United Methodist Church and the American Legion Auxiliary.
Ruby was always very independent with great strength and determination. She loved her family very much and enjoyed spending time with all of them. Ruby had a great sense of humor and enjoyed sharing jokes. She was proud to share her birthday with two grandchildren, Rob and Caitlin. We will celebrate her life on her birthday. We will miss her cooking and baking.
Ruby's family would like to give special thanks to her nieces Toby and Barb, all of the staff at Heritage Nursing and Rehab for their loving care and the Hospice of Mercy nurses and chaplain.
Instead of flowers, memorials may be given to the Make-A-Wish Foundation or a charity of the donor's choice.
Online condolences may be left for the family at under “obituaries.”
Published in The Gazette April 9, 2013.
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