Ruby Nell Basler, 95, died June 15, 2026. A memorial service will begin at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, June 27, 2026 at the Strode Funeral Home Chapel. Strode Funeral Home and Cremation is in charge of the arrangements.

Ruby was born on December 13, 1930, to Nellie and Herschel Norman in Parker County, Texas. As a child, she lived near Pampa and later in Moore County, where she remembered Black Sunday of 1935. Ruby graduated as valedictorian of Dumas High School in 1949.

She earned her RN from Northwest Hospital School of Nursing and an Associates of Arts degree from Amarillo Junior College. Ruby later completed her BSN at Washington University in St. Louis, where she met Eddie Basler while attending Delmar Baptist Church. They were married on August 4, 1956 in Pampa Texas. She worked as a night-call nurse and at St. Louis Children's Hospital before the couple moved to Stillwater, Oklahoma, where Eddie became a Botany professor. Three of their children were born in Stillwater, and a fourth was born in Champaign, Illinois, during Eddie's visiting professorship.

Ruby served at the OSU Student Health Center from 1971 until her retirement in 1991, eventually becoming Director of Nurses. She continued caring for others through volunteer work with Judith Karman Hospice and consulting at The Life Adult Day Care after retirement.

A devoted member of First Baptist Church since 1957, Ruby enjoyed serving in many ministries, including nursery, Mission Friends, WMU, and senior adult ladies' classes. She and Eddie also had a passion for travelling across the western United States and Alberta, Canada with their family.

Ruby lived a life of service — always helping others, caring for neighbors, and doing countless things around the home for her family and community. She had many cherished friendships. She organized family trips and reunions which turned into great memories for everyone involved, and she welcomed all the active grandchildren into her home at once without blinking an eye. Ruby had a use for everything and a talent for making the most out of what she had.

Ruby was preceded in death by her husband of 61 years, Eddie and her brother Luther Norman. She is survived by her four children and their spouses— Susan Basler, Steven Basler (Peggy), Michael Basler (Zoila), and Barry Basler (Ruth Ann) and her sister Betty Wood. She was blessed with nine grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.

Memorial gifts may be made to Oklahoma Baptist Children's Home or Judith Karman Hospice.