Ruby Ann Hakl

Ruby's funeral service can be viewed at: Emmanuel Lutheran Church

Ruby Ann Hakl was born July 29, 1937 to Reuben and Annie (Hegge) Nelson. She died March 12, 2026 in Sioux Falls at the age of 88 years surrounded by her family at Sanford Cottage.

She was raised on the family farm near Colton, SD. Following high school, she graduated with the first class from Stewart’s School of Cosmetology and kept her license as a hairdresser until last year. Ruby met Rodney Hakl at the Arkota Ballroom in Sioux Falls. They were married on November 3, 1957 at St. Jacob’s Lutheran Church near Colton.

Ruby was an excellent seamstress, cook and baker. She worked at check stand 1 for 19 years at Lewis Drug, McDonalds, the grocery store and Cenex in Alcester and as a sample lady at Costco. Ruby loved children and caring for them at Kid’s Loft & Manger and a daycare with Rhonda Peterson.

She is survived by her five children, Randy (Ching) Hakl of Brandon, Karen (Jerry) Schmidt of Garretson, Todd (Brenda) Hakl of Alcester, Rhonda (Jeff) Iddings of Sioux Falls and Rachel (Patrick) Gunn of Cherokee, IA; 14 grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren, two brothers-in-law, Craig (Kathy) Hakl of San Antonio, TX and Curtis (Margaret) Hakl of Townsville, Queensland, Australia. Ruby was preceded in death by her parents, one brother, Robert Nelson and her husband, Rodney Hakl.

Funeral services will be 2PM Monday, March 16, 2026 at Emmanuel Lutheran Church, 101 South 5th Street, Beresford, SD. Family and friends will gather in the fellowship hall for refreshments prior to burial at Pleasant Hill Cemetery in Alcester.