Funeral Sermon for Ruby Brunk

Let us pray: Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer. Amen.

Dear Wade and the rest of the family and friends of Ruby:

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Ruby was born in Clear Lake, SD, on January 28, 1939, a little over 86 years ago. On February 17, 1961, she married Larry Brunk at the Christian Reformed Church here in Ocheyedan. They spent many years farming a little outside of Ocheyedan. They then moved into Ocheyedan in their retirement years.

Gardening was one of Ruby’s hobbies. She also enjoyed growing flowers. Canning and baking were also things she liked to do. She worked hard to have a clean house for those who came to visit. Ruby was known her hospitality. She usually had some coffee and bars to serve to those who came to visit. She did not want visitors to leave hungry either. She saved lots of Christmas cards and birthday cards. She liked to organize things and put labels on things. Ruby was very polite and kind. Ruby and her husband, Larry, were together at worship services and Bible studies at St. Peter Lutheran Church for most of the seven years I have been the pastor here. I remember more than once when someone would ask Larry a question about going somewhere and he would say that he needed to check with the boss first, referring to his wife, Ruby.

As Ruby had her health troubles and spent her last few months in Worthington, I was impressed when I visited the Memory Care unit with the compassionate and kind way that she was treated by the staff at Ecumen Meadows in Worthington.

Ruby picked out her favorite Bible verses and Christian hymns for this funeral service. Wade found a piece of paper with the verses and hymns listed.

Psalm 103 was one of the Bible passages. That is one of my favorite psalms as well. Psalm 103:2–5 are good words to think about as we remember the life of Ruby among us, “Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.” Ruby was glad that she was forgiven by the Lord and was given the Lord’s steadfast love and mercy. Psalm 103:8–12 gives us these powerful thoughts about the Lord who loved Ruby, “The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. He will not always chide, nor will he keep his anger forever. He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us.” Those words are some of the best words about the Lord’s love and forgiving ways in the entire Bible.

Another passage Ruby picked was John 10:27–30 where Jesus said, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. I and the Father are one.” Ruby counted on the gift of eternal life because of the gift of faith in Jesus, her Good Shepherd, given to her by God’s Holy Spirit. For those who have saving faith in Jesus, no one can take them away from the hand of their loving Lord.

One of Ruby’s favorite Bible passages was the words of Jesus in Matthew 11:28–30, “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Ruby did not have things easy all the time. She had her struggles. We all have our difficulties. Maybe when Ruby came to worship services here at St. Peter Lutheran Church she was reminded, as I am reminded sometimes, when I look at the stained glass window above the altar of the invitation of Jesus to come to Him. Especially when the problems of life cause us to labor and be heavy laden, Jesus promises to give rest to His weary followers. Maybe some of you are burdened by the hard times of life and you need some relief. The words of Jesus are still true for every one here this morning. Jesus suffered and died for every sin and wrong of every one here. Jesus arose on the third day in victory over sin, death, and the devil. Jesus did all that saving work for Ruby and for each of us here today. Only through trusting in the gracious promises of Jesus can we find true rest for our weary souls that lasts. Amen.

The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Amen.