Ruby Briar

Ruby was born November 4, 1925 to James and Margaret Weirich in Griswold, Iowa and died December 29, 2018 of complications from a serious fall in her home.

Upon graduation from Griswold High School she moved to Des Moines and attended the American Institute of Business.

Ruby married Jack Raymond Briar on February 12, 1946. To this union were born five daughters. She worked at Meredith Corporation and Principal Insurance supporting her husband through pharmacy and medical school. Ruby left the workforce to be a stay at home mother when they moved to Adel, Iowa for one year. In 1959, they returned to Jack’s hometown of Altoona and opened a medical practice. She became widowed in 1966 at the age of 40.

Ruby owned and operated The Village Vogue, a clothing store and beauty salon in Altoona. In addition, over the years, she worked in the Iowa Legislature, at Des Moines University, Prairie Meadows and Walmart in Altoona until eventually retiring at the age of 85.

She was a 59 years resident of the City of Altoona, at one time a member of the Altoona Chamber of Commerce, St. Paul’s Episcopal Cathedral and the Legion Women’s Auxiliary.

She was preceded in death by her husband, parents and brother, Wendell. Surviving are her daughters, Janet (Drew) Burham, of Des Moines, Joan Warren of Bangor, Maine, Julie (Dan) Kuecker of Ames, Jane (Bill) Worley of Altoona and Jeanine Briar of Altoona. Also surviving are 13 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren and her beloved Abby.

Memorial services will be held at 10:00 a.m., Friday, January 4, 2019 at Lutheran Church of the Cross, 1701 8th Street SW, Altoona. The family will greet visitors at the church following the service. Private burial will take place at Altoona Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be directed to the family to be dispersed amongst a few of Ruby’s favorite organizations.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.

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