Ruby Schaff

Ruby A. Schaff, 96, Bismarck, passed away September 23, 2023, at Edgewood Vista, Bismarck.

Mass of Christian burial will be held at 9:30 AM on Friday, September 29, 2023, at Church of Corpus Christi, 1919 N. 2nd St., Bismarck, with Msgr. Patrick Schumacher as celebrant.

Visitation will be held from 5-7 PM on Thursday, September 28, 2023, at Weigel Funeral Home, Mandan, with Rosary/Parish Vigil at 7 pm. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service at the church on Friday.

Ruby was born May 5, 1927, in Napoleon to Christ and Lydia (Streyle) Schwartz. She attended rural country schools in Steele and Tuttle. On June 28, 1946, she married Martin Hoppe in Bismarck and they had two children, James and Debra. Martin passed away on January 6, 1958. Ruby married Elmer Thorson on January 16, 1959, in Wing and this union added Steve and Calvin to her family. Elmer passed away April 4, 1967. Ruby then moved to Bismarck. On September 19, 1970, Ruby married Joseph Schaff in St. Anthony, adding Joseph Jr., Kathy, Robert, William, Edward, and Andrew to her family. They farmed and ranched 10 miles southeast of St. Anthony. Ruby was an essential partner in the success of Schaff Angus Ranch. She had a strong work ethic and was always up to the challenge wherever she was needed, no matter how busy she was. If there was an emergency, she would drop everything and drive to town to get parts or whatever was needed to keep everything moving. Ruby took great pride in her yard, garden, and beautiful flowers. Their ranch was featured as the “Prettiest Place in the Country” in the February 2006 issue of the National “Farm and Ranch Living” magazine. Ruby and Joe enjoyed socializing, dancing, and playing a competitive game of cards. They semi-retired in April 2006 and built a beautiful home in Bismarck where she again created a stunning yard filled with flowers that received many compliments. Ruby was a member of the Bismarck-Mandan Garden Club and was honored to host a tour of their beautiful yard. Not only was Ruby a wonderful homemaker and cook, she was also famous for her kuchen and pies. She had a talent of being able to whip up a meal at the spur of the moment. There were always pies in the freezer, ready to go for cattle buyers, pinochle parties, or friends and family dropping by at a moment's notice. When Ruby and Joe moved to Edgewood Vista in March 2020, there were 17 pies still in her freezer!

Ruby’s greatest passion was caring for her family, she loved to be involved with their lives. It takes a special person to be able to raise three families.

Ruby is survived by her husband of 53 years, Joseph Schaff; daughter, Debra (Ronald) Haus, Grandbury, Texas; stepdaughter, Kathy (Dave) Albrecht, Mandan; seven stepsons, Joseph P. Schaff, Mandan, Robert (Nadine) Schaff, Bismarck, William (Lenore) Schaff, Mandan, Edward (Bonnie) Schaff, Bismarck, Andrew Schaff, Johnson City, TN, Steven (Roberta) Thorson, Arena, and Calvin (Dorothy) Thorson, Bismarck. Ruby and Joe were blessed with a large family. They have 24 grandchildren and 28 great grandchildren. Ruby is also survived by her sisters, Betty Berg, Bismarck and Delores Wagner, Phoenix, AZ; brothers, Harold Schwartz, Sioux Falls, SD and Ron Schwartz, Vergas, MN; in-laws, Ann Schwartz, Bismarck, Laura Schaff, Mandan, Martin (Angie) Schaff, Mandan, Marianne Blasco and Barbara Schaff, Bismarck, and Thomas (Lois) Schaff, Shakopee, MN.

Ruby was preceded in death by her parents; husbands, Martin Hoppe and Elmer Thorson; her son, James Hoppe; brother, Albert Schwartz; sisters and brothers-in-law, Marcella (Ruben) Plienis, infant Sharon Schwartz, Gladys Wahl, and Ida (Irv) Roebuck; in-laws, Katherine (Robert) Taghon, Leona Smith, Bertha (Paul) Heinrich, Anton Schaff, Adam Schaff, Paul (Ann) Schaff, Barbara Saumell, and Mike Blasco; daughter-in-law, Betty Schaff; and grandsons, Christopher Schaff and Scott Thorson.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the Church of Corpus Christi Foundation, 1919 N. 2nd St, Bismarck, ND 58501 or a charity of your choice.

The family of Ruby Schaff gratefully acknowledges your attendance and many kind expressions of sympathy. Special thanks to the staff at Edgewood Vista and Edgewood Memory Care, where the staff became like family in the short time she was there.