Jane Hofler was born December 3, 1918 in Mason City Iowa and graduated from Rudd High School in 1937. Jane married Lloyd Ruby in 1948. They lived in a small apartment in Fairfield for 8 years before buying a house on South Highland. Lloyd taught instrumental music at FHS and surrounding areas. They were married for 47 years before his death in 1995.
Mrs. Ruby earned a B.A. from Iowa State Teachers College (UNI) in 1941, a master’s degree in education at Drake University and post-graduate music studies at the University of Iowa. She taught music for 42 years at Collins, Miles, Leon, Hampton, Fairfield, and Des Moines, ending her career as acting Associate Professor of Music Education at Drake University. For many years Jane, and art teacher Bob Glocke, collaborated on numerous FHS theatrical performances. She was a clinician and music festival choral director and adjudicator throughout the Midwest for over 35 years. In retirement, Jane was a mentor, accompanist, and arranger for the West Des Moines United Methodist Church men’s chorus and Celebration Quartet for more than 19 years.
Jane was active in several organizations, including Sigma Alpha Iota music fraternity, Treble Clef, PEO, and was an active member of WDM UMC for over 40 years. She lived at Scottish Rite Park in Des Moines for 25 years, serving on various committees and frequently playing the piano for special occasions. She enjoyed golf, bridge, needlework, red wine, cheering the Iowa Hawkeyes, volunteering at Living History Farms, and traveling to Europe multiple times. She died May 5, 2022 at the age of 103.
