RUBY M HAYS MARTIN
Ruby McCann Hays Martin was born January 16, 1928, and died of natural causes on April 4, 2025. Ruby is survived by her children, Colleen Hays of Kearney, Nan (Gene) Sayer of Kearney, Jamie (Polly) Hays of Kearney, Dan (Kathy) Hays of Elkhorn, Shawn (Maira) Hays of San Diego, 15 grandchildren, and a number of greatgrandchildren and great great-grandchildren.
Ruby married James Hays in 1945 and shared 55 years of marriage with him in central Nebraska.
After he died, Ruby attended the Edison alumni banquet and renewed a relationship with Mark “Curly” Martin who had recently lost his spouse of 55 years. Ruby and Mark married in December 2002 and shared 16 years of marriage, living some time in Arizona and mostly in Kearney, Nebraska. Ruby valued family, music, and education and was a terrific conversationalist after she had a cup of coffee.
Ruby graduated from Edison, Nebraska high school in 1945. Ruby excelled in school and would have loved to attend college but wasn’t able to. She wanted to make sure her children had opportunities and always stressed the importance of education.
With just her high school education, Ruby defeated college professors and all contestants to win a car in a spelling contest in 1957. Ruby was elected Furnas County assessor in the 1960s and was re-elected 4 times. Ruby did not let her lack of higher education limit her as she was the second woman in history elected to the Executive Board of the International Association of Assessing Officers in 1981 defeating the county assessor for Los Angeles County in California. Ruby was the second woman in history to receive the designation of Certified Assessment Evaluator and was appointed to the Nebraska Commission for the Status of Women, the Board for Blue Cross/ Blue Shield, and the Nebraska State Board of Public Accountancy.
While receiving accolades and awards for her professional life, Ruby remained a dedicated wife and mother. She was a fantastic cook and managed the logistics of many family gatherings of more than 40 people.
She attended hundreds of school performances and sporting events. She was always there and supportive; she will be missed.
Honoring Ruby’s wishes, there will be no viewing or service, the family plans a graveside inurnment on a future date.
We Love You Mom Visit www.hlmkfuneral. com to leave a tribute or message of condolence. Horner Lieske McBride & Kuhl Funeral and Cremation Services is in charge of arrangements.
