Ruby Viola Browning was born on April 1, 1920 to Edward and Elsie (Brigham) Browning at her parents’ home about five miles northeast of Hale, CO. Ruby was the youngest of seven brothers and sisters. She grew up in the Armel Methodist Church which her dad helped build. That church is now residing at Old Town in Burlington, CO.
Ruby lived life with a soft touch and love in her heart. She was known for her kindness and easy-going spirit.
Every spring and summer, Ruby had a knack for growing a beautiful garden of roses, geraniums and impatiens. Her love of farm life, the simple things and honest work was evident.
Ruby, along with her husband, Bill, celebrated and cherished family time. Many afternoons, the guys would come in from the fields and the grandkids would come in from playing for a chance at one of Grandma’s famous oatmeal chocolate chip cookies and a signature Cody “Pop-Time.”
Family visits, meals, holidays and celebrations were a staple for all of Ruby’s kids and grandkids. Grandma had a quiet gracefulness, which came in handy with three ornery sons and a husband who enjoyed teasing her out of love.
Ruby said her favorite vacation was when she was 4½ years old. Out of all her siblings, only she got to go to Santa Monica, CA for the winter with her parents in their Model T Ford. They made a bed in the back seat for her and had a tent that fastened to the side of the car at night. It took them over a month to make the trip on the roads as they were in those days.
Ruby went to all eight grades to the Browning Grade School, which her father also helped build. She went to Armel High School and caught a ride to school with a neighbor, Bill Cody. “I wasn’t the only one he gave a ride to school (there were four others)”, she said.
After high school, Ruby went to Marinello Beauty School in Denver. She then got a job working at Mrs. Ridpath’s beauty shop in Wray, CO. She next moved to Burlington and worked in a beauty shop on Main St. that was in the same building that her granddaughter English now works.
By coincidence, the same Bill Cody (William J. Cody Jr.) worked across the street as a butcher for Safeway. After getting reacquainted, they were married on April 20, 1941.
To this union, four children were born: Dennie Alan in 1942, William James in 1944, Cheryl Glee in 1945, and Gerald Gordon in 1946. 4-H was a big part of their lives. Ruby and Bill were both 4-H leaders for many years. Ruby, an excellent seamstress, was a sewing leader for Plainview 4-H Club for many years.
Ruby and Bill loved to cruise. Even after Bill passed in 2000, she continued to cruise with her sister in law Esther Browning. She went on 30 cruises altogether, and loved to share photos and memories of her travels with her loved ones.
Ruby was preceded in death by her parents, husband Bill, her son Bill, all her brothers, sisters and their spouses, all of Bill’s brothers and sisters, and one great nephew.
She is survived by her children, son Dennie and his wife Duangkamon Khattiya, their children, son Kris Limpanuwat and his wife Nattie and their children Will and Tasha, son Paul Limpanuwat, of Florida.
Daughter-in-law Linda of Burlington, and her daughter Kelli Hendricks and her children Emily, Adily and Luke Hendricks; son Kane and his wife Lynne Cody and their children Veronica, Marek, Lauren and Ryker Cody of Burlington.
Daughter Cheri and her husband Tom Brethauer, their children Robden Brethauer and Rennie Rasp, and her son Rorek of Tempe, AZ.
Son Gerry and his wife Anne of Burlington, and their children English and her husband T.J. Powell and their daughter Hadley, son Jade Cody and his wife Kim, and their children Gracyn, Samantha and Chelsea McCoy, and Paisley Cody of Windsor, CO.
Memorials/contributions may be made to Kit Carson County 4-H Council, 817 15th St., Burlington, CO 80807 or to the Burlington United Methodist Church in Ruby’s memory and may be left at or sent to Love Funeral Home, 377 15th Street, Burlington, Colorado 80807.
Funeral services for Ruby were held on Saturday, February 6, 2021 at 10:30 am at the Burlington United Methodist Church with Reverend Burry Bessee officaiting. Burial followed in the Fairview Cemetery, Burlington, Colorado. There was no visitation held.
Friends may go to www.lovefuneralhomes.com to leave a message of condolence for the family and to sign their online register book.
Funeral arrangements entrusted to Love Funeral Home, Burlington, Colorado.