Ruby Carol Hansen was born November 11, 1928, on a farm near Dahlen, North Dakota, to Andy and Sophie (Skjerven) Anderson. She graduated from Petersburg High School and went on to attend North Dakota Agricultural College (NDSU) in Fargo, where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Home Economics.

Ruby married Warren Richard “Dick” Hansen on June 17, 1951. They began their married life in Northwood, North Dakota, where Ruby taught school. She continued teaching after they moved to an irrigation farm near Sheyenne, North Dakota. As their family grew, Ruby eventually left teaching. She told the yearbook staff she was quitting because of “increased responsibilities at home (i.e. more children).”

The family later moved to the Hansen Family Farm in Green Township near Valley City, North Dakota. There, Ruby embraced the full life of a farm wife and mother. She was a diligent and tireless worker who tended a large garden, sewed clothing for her family, baked bread, and worked alongside Dick in the fields. Her hands were rarely idle, and much of her life was devoted to caring for her family and home.
Ruby was an accomplished seamstress and quilter. For many years, she cut and sewed quilts with the Faith Lutheran Quilters, continuing until failing eyesight made it difficult for her to thread a needle. Another tradition especially associated with Ruby was making lefse. She taught her children and grandchildren how to make it, passing along a family tradition that became part of gatherings and memories across generations.

Ruby was a longtime member of Faith Lutheran Church in Valley City. Her life reflected the values she held dear: faith, family, hard work, and service to others.

Ruby is survived by her children, Kris (Rick) Swanson, Lyle (Angi) Hansen, and Karen (Greg) Burchill; daughter-in-law Sandy Hansen; and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Dick; her sons, Greg and Scott; and her grandson, Andy Hansen.

Ruby died on August 27, 2026, at the age of 97.

The visitation for Ruby will begin at 1 pm followed by the funeral service at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, September 2, at Faith Lutheran Church in Valley City, North Dakota, with a luncheon to follow at the church. Burial will take place at Faith Cemetery, Valley City, North Dakota.

Ruby leaves behind a legacy woven through generations of her family. The lessons she taught, the traditions she passed down, and the countless things she made and did for those she loved will continue to be remembered by the family she so faithfully cared for throughout her long life.
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Traditions Funeral Services, Valley City. An online guestbook is available at www.olivernathanchapel.com
Ruby’s funeral service can be viewed with this link:
https://player.memoryshare.com/video/ruby-hansen-valleycity-nd