Ruby Mae Bates, was born to James C. and Eva May (Ballard) Fithian on November 21, 1918 at Wolbach, Neb. She grew up on the family farm near Vesta where she was one of eight children. After her schooling at Vesta Public Schools, Ruby worked at Gambel's Hardware Store and also cleaned houses, where she met the love of her life, Bob Bates. Ruby and Bob were united in marriage on December 14, 1938 at Beatrice, Nebraska. To this union five children were born. Bob passed away September 12, 1990. Bob and Ruby made their home in Tecumseh where she worked at the Campbell Soup Company, retiring after 25 years. She was a Brownie and Girl Scout Leader and served on numerous committees at the United Methodist Church where she also taught Sunday school for many years.

Ruby was an avid reader, she enjoyed playing cards and board games, loved her flowers and birds, fishing and traveling. Bob and Ruby took many wonderful vacations together. She was a volunteer at Belle Terrace, wrote society news for the Tecumseh Chieftain and was a member of card club. When her health began to decline she became of resident of Belle Terrace August, 2005. She passed away there on April 28, 2010 at the age of 91 years.

She is survived by her sons, Robert Bates, Jr. and Gary R. Bates, both of Lincoln, and James F. Bates of Tecumseh; daughters, Sharon K. Maurice and husband Phillip of Victorville, Calif., and Janet L. Crable and husband Abe of Lincoln; 12 grandchildren; numerous great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren; sisters, Myra Stanley of Sidney, Iowa and Violet Lytle of Riesel, Texas; nieces; nephew; and many friends. Ruby was preceded in death by her parents, husband, two grandchildren, three brothers and two sisters.