Ruby was born the daughter of Bert and Ida Mitchelltree Johnson on October 15, 1920, on the family farm near Montezuma, Iowa. She was raised near Montezuma and graduated from Montezuma High School in 1938. Ruby was married to Harold Halblom on April 13, 1944, and to this union was born their children Rebecca and Dixie. She enjoyed the country life and raising her children. Ruby enjoyed her garden and flowers. She was particularly fond of red flowers and her favorite was her impatiens. She was an immaculate housekeeper and was well known for her apple pies, homemade fudge, and chocolate cakes. She enjoyed helping others, and in her final days took care of her special friend "Whitey." Ruby is survived by her daughters Becky (Dave) Camp of Carlisle, Iowa and Dixie Smith and her significant other Joe Hitchins of Peoria, Illinois; six grandchildren; five great grandchildren; and her sister Waunita Millslagle of Grinnell. Ruby passed away Friday, May 12, 2006, at Mercy Hospice in Johnston, Iowa. She was eighty-five years of age and was preceded in death by her parents; her brothers and sisters, Jenny Bennett, Alvin "Bud" Johnson, Pauline Mitchell, Theodore Johnson, Bert Johnson, Jr. and Virginia and Edward Johnson, who died in infancy.