Ruby Victoria Larson

McFarland- Ruby Victoria Larson, age 96, died on Saturday, March 6, 2010 at Oak Park Place, where she resided for the past year.  She was born Ruby Williamson on November 27, 1913 in a farmhouse outside of McFarland, of parents, Dagmar Marie and Hans Peter Williamson, both from Denmark.  The doctor on call arrived by horse and buggy.  That doctors house later became Ruby's home for 68 years.  Ruby attended McFarland Grade School before transferring to Madison East High School, where she followed the secretarial program with great success.  She also studied Latin and became a very accurate speller.  Ruby's clerical skills served her well when she was hired by the newly formed Badger Petroleum Company, managed by Arnold O. Larson.  Later, Ruby would joke that she married the boss.  The two of them worked together to rebuild the company after a catastrophic fire in 1937.  Ruby continued as head bookkeeper until Arnold's retirement in 1965.  After the births of their children, she worked in offices created in the Larson residence across the street from ""The Badger"", then located on the present site of Arnold Larson Park.  Ruby Larson was an active member of the McFarland Lutheran Church: teaching Sunday School and Bible studies, serving as one of the first women on the board of directors, reading scripture during services, attending Bible courses at Bethel Lutheran and various Lutheran colleges, participating in the activities of the Sarah Circle, and for decades, counting and banking the Sunday offering.  Over time, Ruby held every officers position at the McFarland Historical Society, some several times.  She was honored by the Wisconsin Historical Society for her dedication to State and local historic preservation.        Ruby loved flowers and gardening, an activity she shared with her husband.  Their home was filled with plants, inside and out, all year round.  In addition, each year Ruby looked forward to a family fishing vacation in Northern Wisconsin, a custom she enjoyed with her son's family after her husband's death.  She also loved travel abroad and made trips to England, Austria, Germany, the Holy Land and Denmark, many with her daughter Carol.  Her greatest joy and legacy is her family:  Susan Marie (Steve) Saunders of Edgerton; Annette Lucile (Gary) Mahnke of Green Valley, Arizona; Annette's daughter, Lisa Michelle (Ned) Nelson and their son, Cash; Annette's son, Troy Arnold (Miki) and their son, Ryker, all of Lawrence, Kansas; Peter David , whose wife, Judy, has been a fourth daughter to Ruby, of Madison; Peter's son, Jeffrey Arnold (Emily) of Verona; and Carol Elizabeth Larson (Jerry Huffman) of Brooklyn.  Ruby was preceded in death by her parents; and her husband.  Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, March 10, 2010 at the McFarland Lutheran Church, 5529 Marsh Road, with Reverend Jack Finney officiating and Retired Pastor Terry Peterson as organist.  Burial will follow in the Upper McFarland Cemetery, where Ruby will rest next to her husband and parents.  Visitation will be held from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM on Tuesday, March 9, 2010 at Olson-Holzhuter-Cress Funeral Home in McFarland and from 1:00 PM until the time of services at church on Wednesday.  In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the McFarland Historical Society.