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Nov. 21, 2024 4:48 pm
[Editor’s note: This is eleventh in a series of informative articles regarding the scholarships available from The Greater Jefferson County Foundation.]
This next scholarship, created in 2023, is in memory of Jane Ruby, a well-respected vocal music teacher at Fairfield High School for more than 20 years, starting in 1948. The scholarship is for any FHS graduating senior seeking a degree in music education and also for an FHS graduate who will be a college sophomore, majoring in music education. One $1,500 scholarship can be awarded annually to a qualified applicant.
Jane Hofler was born December 3, 1918 in Mason City Iowa and graduated from Rudd High School in 1937. Jane married Lloyd Ruby in 1948. They lived in a small apartment in Fairfield for 8 years before buying a house on South Highland. Lloyd taught instrumental music at FHS and surrounding areas. They were married for 47 years before his death in 1995.
Mrs. Ruby earned a B.A. from Iowa State Teachers College (UNI) in 1941, a master’s degree in education at Drake University and post-graduate music studies at the University of Iowa. She taught music for 42 years at Collins, Miles, Leon, Hampton, Fairfield, and Des Moines, ending her career as acting Associate Professor of Music Education at Drake University.
For many years Jane, and art teacher Bob Glocke, collaborated on numerous FHS theatrical performances. She was a clinician and music festival choral director and adjudicator throughout the Midwest for over 35 years. In retirement, Jane was a mentor, accompanist, and arranger for the West Des Moines United Methodist Church men’s chorus and Celebration Quartet for more than 19 years.
Jane was active in several organizations, including Sigma Alpha Iota music fraternity, Treble Clef, PEO, and was an active member of WDM UMC for over 40 years. She lived at Scottish Rite Park in Des Moines for 25 years, serving on various committees and frequently playing the piano for special occasions. She enjoyed golf, bridge, needlework, red wine, cheering the Iowa Hawkeyes, volunteering at Living History Farms, and traveling to Europe multiple times. She died May 5, 2022 at the age of 103.
The Kraus Family Scholarship was created in 2024 in memory of those family members that lived in the Jefferson County, Iowa from 1980 through 2005, both currently living and deceased. They include Julie (Kraus) Luedtke, Daniel D. Kraus, Jennifer (Kraus) Kearney (d), Susan L. Kraus (d), and Dale D. Kraus.
Julie, Daniel, and Jennifer all graduated from Fairfield High School and graduated from the University of Iowa with honors. Julie lives with her family in Waynesboro, VA and is employed as a school audiologist. Daniel is an acclaimed writer of novels and a film maker living with his wife in Evanston, IL. Jennifer was a chemical engineer employed by the pharmaceutical company Merck and she was also a private photographer until her untimely death in 2023. She also lived with her family in Waynesboro, VA.
Susan L. Kraus, wife and the devoted mother of Jennifer, Daniel, and Julie, was employed at the Fairfield Veterinary Clinic in Fairfield, IA until her death in 2005. Dale grew up on a dairy farm in southern Illinois. He earned degrees from Southern Illinois University, Carbondale in Forestry and Michigan State University in Resource Development.
He was employed by US Department of Agriculture (USDA) most of his career in southeast Iowa where Dale assisted rural communities, cities, counties, and businesses in various capacities with planning, securing technical assistance and securing funding for a wide variety of community and rural development projects. He retired from USDA in 2004. He is retired and now lives with his current wife Mary Jo Kraus in Kalona, IA. Throughout his life he has served in a variety of volunteer capacities, has been active in local Christian churches where he has lived, enjoys the outdoor, landscaping, and supports various conservation initiatives. Dale served as Treasurer on the Board of the Greater Jefferson County Foundation until 2013.
The Kraus Family Scholarship is an annual non-renewable scholarship of $5,000 for a graduating FHS Senior student who will be attending a duly credited Iowa based University, Community College, or Trade School. It has a wide-ranging criterion including the life-time interests and activities listed of the family members listed above.
The 2025 scholarship application process will begin December 1, 2024 with a deadline of February 1, 2025. Both FHS and Pekin senior students are welcome to apply. Online applications will be available on the application website at www.gjcfscholarships.org. For more information, contact the Foundation at gjcf0758@windstream.net or call 641-472-0758.
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