Ruby BrennemanVentura, CARuby Arlene Brenneman, 81, formerly of Ventura, CA, passed away on Saturday, April 15, 2017, at Pleasantview Home in Kalona, IA. She was born on December 2, 1935, in rural Wellman, IA, to Norman and Katie (Swartzendruber) Brenneman. Ruby graduated from Iowa Mennonite School in 1954 and Eastern Mennonite College in Harrisonburg, VA, in 1961 where she received her BS in Elementary Education. She taught kindergarten and first grade in IA and CA, and also volunteered through Mennonite Board of Missions (MBM) as a Volunteer Service (VS) teacher from 1961 - 1962 in Stanfield, AZ. She served as hostess for Mennonite Central Committee 1965 - 1967 in Akron, PA. Ruby's career as an Elementary School teacher in California spanned 30 years at Grace Thille and Glen City elementary schools. She made her home in Ventura, CA, where family visited often and enjoyed delicious meals, day trips and picnics to the beach, and a special trip to Disneyland for each of her six nieces and nephews. Ruby attended First United Methodist Church in Ventura, where she taught at the Christian school and generously served in many capacities. She moved to IA in 2013 to join family and became a member of Wellman Mennonite Church. Ruby's hobbies were singing, gardening, listening to classical music, following draft horses, gathering and travelling with her friends and cousins. She will be deeply missed by friends and family for her prolific and beautiful hand-written letters and cards for every special occasion, her infectious laughter and beautiful soprano voice, and her curious and adventurous spirit. Ruby led a joyful life of unceasing prayer of thanksgiving. Ruby was preceded in death by her parents, and a brother-in-law, Ernst C. "EC" Berger. She is survived by her brother Keith and Mary Brenneman of Peoria, AZ; sister Nedra Berger of Missouri City, TX; six nieces and nephews; and ten great-nieces and nephews. A celebration service is pending. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Iowa Mennonite School. The Yoder-Powell Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.