Ruby Marie was born on Tuesday May 12, 1931 on the family homestead in Sullivan Township to Charles August and Clara (Slumskie) Lipskie. She was the second youngest of six children: Reg, Harvey, Kathleen, Bill, Ruby and Gordon. All of the Lipskie children grew up and were educated in Sullivan Township. Once Ruby finished public school she began her life’s work of housekeeping and looking after others. She started out by looking after her grandmother and sister-in-law.
It is uncertain exactly how the Gaeler family ended up in this area as they were originally from the Windsor area. Ruby worked at various jobs and both Douglas and Ruby played in the Chesley band! Ruby enjoyed throwing snow balls at a certain guy by the name of Douglas! So on Friday May 11, 1951 Ruby and Douglas tied the knot on the same homestead she had been born on. The young couple lived with the Gaeler family in an apartment above Jimmy Chan’s Restaurant on Main Street.
Doug and Ruby worked at Krugs factory and Doug moved on to the Chesley Chair Company Limited (originally the Wolfe Chair Company until 1910), which in time became known as Heirloom of Canada, even though it had been run by W.G. Krug and C.R. Ankenman. Douglas moved on to Heirloom and at some point some of the children started out there. Well, Ruby went on to do more housekeeping, painting and wall papering for other people. She also enjoyed cleaning at Lloyd Marklevitz’s Butcher Shop on Wednesdays and Saturdays. She also helped out at Browns Bake Shop doing what Ruby did, cleaning.
The Gaeler family began to grow with the arrival of Liz in 1952, Carol in 1955, Paul in 1956, Charles (Chuck) in 1958 and in time Cindy in 1963. When the family started to grow they moved to a house on River Street and then to an apartment above where McIntee’s is today, on to 7th Street S.E. where Cindy was born and finally to where they are now on 2nd Avenue S.E..
Ruby also volunteered her time with the woman’s groups, church council, and teaching Sunday School at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church and as a member of the Legion’s Auxiliary. A very fond memory of all council members and pastors who served with Ruby is that it was always her “job” to make the motion to adjourn the monthly meetings!
Ruby’s family loved her cooking and she was especially known for her pies and tarts! And her knitting! Boy, could Ruby ever knit! She was always knitting or quilting with the women at church, and occasionally would crochet. Ruby loved playing darts, 5 pin bowling, and cards (solo, euchre and cribbage). Playing crokinole with St. Mark’s against Faith Lutheran, Port Elgin, was also enjoyed by Ruby.
Sadly, Douglas did not like to dance even though Ruby did. He would dance one or two polkas and then sit the rest of the dance out. Ruby enjoyed listening to Charlie Pride, Box Car Willie and Dolly Parton. The radio was always on at home, the dial set to AM 920 so she could listen to her favorites. In fact, Ruby had even been to Dolly-wood in the States! The truth is, Ruby had been to the United States numerous times – Myrtle Beach Florida, Bronson Missouri, Nashville – and even out west to Calgary. Although, admittedly, she did not like the mountains!
If Ruby had a favorite place, however, it was right back at home in their tent trailer at “The Bluffs.” She was always content or satisfied with what she had. She was a very determined woman and along with her stubbornness it helped Ruby survive her life’s challenges. She was a diabetic for years, as were most of both the Gaelers and Lipskies. Even losing her toes and her one leg could not keep Ruby down or away from anything she wanted to do or go. Even though Doug’s death in 2000 was very hard on her it never kept her down.
Ruby was also very straightforward and honest which was much appreciated by most of the people around her. To say she was a care-giver would be an understatement for she was caring and strong. Others loved her baking and cooking and in turn Ruby loved her breaded shrimp! She wasn’t much of a reader but she loved her game shows (Price is Right, Let’s Make a Deal, Family Feud, and even Dancing with the Stars) and soap operas (Edge of Night, Guiding Light, Young and Restless, Bold and Beautiful) on TV.
Ruby’s Dad and her faith were great influences in her life. Her children had little to no choice than to attend Sunday School and confirmation classes. And she read her Bible frequently. Ruby’s best piece of advice to her family? “Take it one day at a time!”
Sadly, Ruby Marie Gaeler of Chesley, gently passed away at home, surrounded by her family on Thursday, July 28, 2016 in her 86th year.
Beloved mother of Liz Gaeler, Carol Jarvis, both of Chesley, Paul (Debbie) of Owen Sound, Chuck (Dawn Cheryl) of Cargill and Cindy (Wayne) Cronkwright of Chesley. Ruby will be missed by her grandchildren, Hunter (Jenn), Jason, Travis (Jen), April (Jim) and Jennifer (Cory) as well as great-grandchildren Natasha, Nathan, Anika, Xander, Jaxson, Gemma, Lucas, Kurtis, Brooklynn, Joy, and Natalie.
Fondly remembered by her sister Kathleen Kress of Renfrew, sister-in-law Beatrice Gaeler of Hanover and brother-in-law George (Marg) Gaeler of Elmwood.
Ruby was predeceased by her husband Douglas Gaeler, son-in-law Ray Jarvis, brothers Reg (Margret), Harvey (Dorothy), Wilfred (Shirley) and Gordon Lipskie as well as nephews Dennis, Douglas and Wayne Lipskie, brothers-in-law Eldon Kress, Gary (Shirley) Gaeler and Robert Gaeler.
As per Ruby’s wishes, cremation has taken place and a graveside service will be held at the Chesley Cemetery on Thursday, August 4, 2016 at 11 a.m. with a reception to follow at 11:30 at the Chesley Legion.
Memorial donations to the Canadian Diabetes Association or Canadian Cancer Society would be appreciated as expressions of sympathy.
