Ruby Jean Grudzinski

Ruby Jean Grudzinski, 75, of Central City, died on Thursday, February 11, 2021 at Life Center of Elkhorn. A celebration of life visitation will be held at Solt-Wagner Funeral Home in Central City, on Saturday, February 20, 2021 from 10 a.m. until noon. Memorials are suggested to the family. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.soltwagnerfuneral.com. Ruby Jean was born on March 21, 1945 to Clara Sharpe in Milford, Nebraska. Ruby grew up in St. Louis, Missouri. Ruby married Leonard Victor Grudzinski in Kearney, NE on September 28, 1963. When she and Leonard were first married, they lived in Kearney, until moving to Grand Island. They then would make their home in Central City, where they remained most of their married life. They would move to Columbia, South Carolina for a while when Ruby worked at Fort Jackson Military Base. They then decided that Central City was their home and they decided to move back and raise their daughter in their hometown. In her early years, Ruby was a stay at home mother, raising her children until she got a job at Kate’s Root Beer as well as working as a cook at Merrick Manor in Central City. She then found her passion for cooking for others. She was also a flagger for Knight Brothers Construction in the summer when they needed help. She later got a full time job cooking at Lincoln Manor Steakhouse. She then decided to go back to school and earn her GED. Then she decided to get her Associate’s Degree at Central Community College in Hastings for Culinary Arts, and finally received her Bachelor’s Degree from Bellevue University in Human Resources. She then worked at Central Community College in Grand Island, where she was the manager of food services for 12 years. Leonard and Ruby would remain married for over 53 years until his death. While living in Central City, she was very active in her community baking, sewing, and helping in her church. She made many wedding, birthday, and graduation cakes for members of the community. She always said she didn’t like to argue, but for most of her family they knew that wasn’t the case. Most of the time they would let her say her peace, and move on with life. She always had an opinion and whether you liked it or not, she would let you know. She was a member of the St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Central City, as well as the Alter Society, Quilting Guild and a Den Mother for Cub Scouts. Those left to cherish her memory are her children; Tim (Cassandra) Grudzinski of Dacono, CO, Adam (Teresa) Grudzinski of Gretna, NE, Katie (Josh) Sharpe of Mead, NE, and Connie (Glen) Leckband of Rochester, MN, her grandchildren; Grady Grudzinski, Hailey Grudzinski, Ethan Grudzinski and Caleb Grudzinski, Jarrett Sharpe, Heather Kveene, Laura Verbout-Kveene, David Kveene, and Christian Leckband. She was preceded in death by her husband, Leonard; son, Joel; and mother Clara Wick.

Ruby Jean Grudzinski

March 21, 1945 - February 11, 2021