Ruby Flossie Hardinger, 96

Ruby Flossie Hardinger, 96, passed away at her home near Moyie Springs, Idaho on Aug. 18, 2010.

She was known to most as Miss Ruby or Grandma Ruby.

Ruby was born June 22, 1914, in Whiteville, Tenn., to Jess and Emma Ellen Robbins. She was the second oldest of six children.

Being premature she was small enough to fit in a man’s hand and be covered by a handkerchief. Her first bed was a shoebox.

When her mother died she quit school to help raise the other children. She cooked and sewed the children’s clothes. Ruby was a hard worker all her life.

Her first occupation was as a beautician when perms were 99 cents and involved wires hooked to a machine. She worked for Firestone Rubber Company during WWII making rubber rafts and things for the war effort.

 She was a waitress for many years and told of a customer that poured her pocket full of ice water for a joke and then put a $10 bill in it to apologize.

But her main effort was always toward the good of her family.

 In 1950 she married Sanford Hardinger who was in the Air Force . They were stationed in Florida where their daughter Linda was born and later in Japan where Sanford Jr. was born.

Sanford was promoted to captain and she became an officer’s wife. They traveled all over the world gathering treasures she would remember. Ruby was a devoted mother. She never took a bite of food before looking around to see if everyone else had enough first.

She was a quiet , bashful person who never spoke openly about her Christian faith but lived its principles daily in generous ways. Never wealthy by this world’s standards, she always managed to dig up enough to give if a person was in need..

She loved flowers, (especially roses) and gardening and grew her own food in the back yard even when living in the city.

After moving to Bonners Ferry in 1982, she helped purchase a piece of land with several cabins — enough for her kids and grandkids. She lived there since helping to garden and can food for the family.

Ruby was always proud to say, “I’m a Tennessee hillbilly!” The last few years she spent with her daughter’s family; always looking for small ways to help out around the house.

At 96 she took no medications, depending on a good clean life, organic food and faith. She walked daily knowing exercise was key to her health.

 She walked to the mailbox (with help) until the week before she passed away at home in her bed surrounded by family who loved her.

 Her most profound statement was: “YOU SPEND THE FIRST HALF OF YOUR LIFE TRYING TO GET OFF THE FARM AND THE REST OF YOUR LIFE TRYING TO GET BACK TO IT!”.

She is survived by one sister, Maimie Lancaster in Texas; her son Sanford Hardinger of Globe, Ariz., and daughter Linda Elliston of Bonners Ferry; grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Bonners Ferry will miss its hillbilly.