JoAnn Ruebsam

The funeral service for JoAnn Ruebsam, 86, of Tracy, will be Tuesday, March 19, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. at the Tracy Lutheran Church. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service. Interment at Sillerud Lutheran Cemetery in Balaton will follow the funeral luncheon.

JoAnn Marie (Ehret) (Biteler) Ruebsam was born on March 26, 1937, in Elkton, SD, to Robert and Genevieve (Kelly) Ehret. She lived in Elkton as a young child, then later moved with her family to Flandreau, SD, where she finished grade school and high school. On March 27, 1954, JoAnn was united in marriage to Emroy Biteler. To this union three children were born: LeRoy, Douglas, and Nancy. Emroy taught in rural schools, so the family moved from Elkton, SD, to Coleman, SD, then later to Tracy, MN, in 1959.

On June 2, 1979, JoAnn was united in marriage to Dean Ruebsam. The couple lived in Tracy, and Dean farmed by Balaton for 60 years. JoAnn worked in retail for 30 years, including at J.C. Penney for 9 years and selling Avon for 29 years. She retired in 2000 from the Four Seasons in Tracy. JoAnn loved to be with family and friends. When the grandchildren came to visit, she often took them out to the farm. She belonged to a garden club and played cards. JoAnn enjoyed flowers and yard work.

JoAnn died on Tuesday, March 12, 2024, at Prairie View Senior Living in Tracy. She is survived by her children LeRoy (Wanda) Biteler of Waconia, MN, and Nancy (Ken) LaBrie of Arlington, SD; grandchildren Justin (Tina) Biteler, their child Jovi; Miranda (Alex) Kerbawy, their children Soraiya and Mackenzie; Brandon (Kayla) LaBrie, their children ElliAnna and Huntley; and Clayton (Katie) LaBrie, their children Paisley and Jaxton; siblings Marlene (Don) Weicherding, Mitzi Turley, Bob (Vickey) Ehret, and Jim Ehret; as well as many relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Dean Ruebsam, son Douglas Biteler, and sister Phyllis Nelson.