YUMA BLUES – PART TWO – I like to write junk…

I composed a story titled “Yuma Blues – Part One” a short time ago. The story talks about a young Army soldier stationed at the Yuma Army Air Field in Arizona, during WWII.

This recently enlisted man, Private William “Bill” Hilleboe, was undergoing desert training in Yuma, yet found time to write a postcard to a woman, Miss Ruby Ellens, in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

The postcard shows downtown Yuma, with many 1940s vehicles driving and parked in front of stores. Pvt. Hilleboe tells his friend in a note written on back that he visited the old cowboy town and refrained from drinking liquor. William Hilleboe went on to say that he planned to do that once he got back home.

My research shows that Hilleboe’s message evidently did not impress the young woman, especially where marriage is concerned. I’m sure the lonely private often developed the blues during this long-distance courtship, as any ordinary guy would.

Another Army soldier in Yuma was interested in Ruby at the same time, and this fellow mailed her a postcard six days later. It showed a colorful Gila Monster walking in the desert. Before I go into further detail on a potential love triangle here between two lonely soldiers and a single gal, I’ll touch on the rare Gila Monster first in so many words.

Gila monsters (Heloderma suspectum) are found in Mohave County, Arizona. Although I’ve never seen one in Lake Havasu City, these distinctive, venomous lizards are native to the southwestern United States, and their range includes the northwestern part of Arizona, which encompasses Mohave County. I’ve yet to come across such a lizard in our area, although they may be lurking in places I don’t venture.

Gila monsters inhabit desert and semi-arid environments, favoring rocky foothills, washes, and areas with ample cover such as burrows, rocks, and dense vegetation. The giant lizards are present in the lowland desert areas of Mohave County, particularly where rocky terrain meets desert scrub.

Gila monsters are protected by state law in Arizona; it is illegal to harass, capture, or harm them. If you encounter a Gila monster in Mohave County, observe from a distance and do not attempt to handle or disturb it.

On October 7, 1944, Private Ed Burdisso, assigned to the Army Air Training Center in Yuma, Arizona, sent his Gila Monster postcard to Miss Ruby Jean Ellens in Sioux Falls, North Dakota. Pvt. Burdisso’s message to Ruby reads as follows:

“Hello again Ruby

Hope you will like this monster I’m sending you. The trip down here was nice. Took us 3 ½ days and got here late last night.

Always

Eddie”

There’s nothing unusual about Pvt. Burdisso, corresponding with a single female during WWII, as thousands of lonely GIs did. I’m sure Ed Burdisso didn’t know that Pvt. Charles William “Bill” Hilleboe also had feelings for Miss Ellens and vice versa. When things didn’t work out for Ed, the blues came knocking one more time.

Neither Pvt. Bill Hilleboe nor Pvt. Ed Burdisso was able to slip a ring on Ruby Jean Ellen’s finger, although they eventually married and led successful lives. Both Burdisso and Hilleboe survived the war, going on to marry and lead long, successful lives.

Somewhere along the way, Miss Ruby Ellens was communicating with a third military man, Pvt. Rex Leubecher. Ms Ellens finally found the man she was looking for. I came across a postcard sent from him to her in 1949 while Rex was in Topeka, Kansas. She evidently liked to receive cards, as some people still do. Excerpts from Rex and Ruby’s obituaries best sum up their blessed lives.

“Rex Leubecher, 93, died Tuesday, March 19, 2013. Mr. Leubecher was born on January 5, 1920, on the family farm in rural Sioux Falls to Herman George and Iva (Peterson) Leubecher. He graduated from Washington High School in 1937 and then farmed in partnership with his father.

Rex joined the SD National Guard, and on November 25, 1940, he was called to active duty and sent to Fort Ord, CA. His ship left Pearl Harbor a week before it was bombed, and he proudly served his country in the South Pacific until his honorable discharge in July 1945.

After his discharge, he resumed farming and soon met the love of his life, Ruby Jean Ellens. They married on September 15, 1946, and shared 66 wonderful years of marriage. In 1966, Rex was persuaded by Erling Haugo of Valley National Bank to be his agricultural representative/public relations officer.

He served the Valley Banks of Sioux Falls, Harrisburg, Tea, Lennox, Elk Point, and Yankton. His business sense, love of farming, and love of people made him a natural fit for the job. He retired as vice president in 1983 and continued to serve on the Valley Bank Board of Directors for many more years.

Rex served as chairman of Lincoln County Farm Bureau, Lincoln County Republican Party, Lincoln County Planning Commission, Southeastern Council of Government, Minnehaha Coop Oil, and numerous other ag-related boards.

He served on the Board of Directors of the Crippled Children’s School, was a charter member and past president of South Sioux Kiwanis, and a lifetime member of the American Legion and VFW. Rex served on the SD Highway Commission under Governor Archie Gubbrud.

A man of faith, he was baptized, confirmed, married, and was a longtime usher of First Lutheran Church.

In their late years, Rex and Ruby moved to Stoney Brook Assisted Living in 2010 and to Bethany Meadows Nursing Home in 2012. Rex endeared himself to all those who helped care for him and Ruby.

Rex was the consummate gentleman and family man. His kindness, integrity, and genuine interest in everyone he encountered earned the respect of all whose lives he touched. His positive attitude was contagious. Whenever anybody asked how he was, his reply was always the same. “It’s the best day of my life!”

Ruby Leubecher, 91, died Friday, November 29, 2013. A memorial service will be held on Friday, December 13, at 3:00 PM at First Lutheran Church, Sioux Falls, SD. Ruby Jean Ellens was born on February 16, 1922, to John and Minnie (Albers) Ellens near Harrisburg, South Dakota. At the age of 9, the family moved to a farm near Wall Lake, and she graduated from Hartford High School in 1939 as valedictorian of her class.

Wanting to continue her education at Eastern State Normal (now DSU) in Madison, SD, she worked candling eggs for tuition money and doing housework for her room and board. She earned her teaching certiﬁcate, which qualiﬁed her to teach in rural schools in South Dakota.

She taught schools in Hartford, Valley Springs, and Lincoln County. While teaching at Springdale School District, she met the love of her life, Rex Leubecher, and they shared 66 wonderful years of marriage. In 1986, Ruby received the Rural School Teacher Award.

Ruby was a devoted farm wife and mother to three daughters. She was a charter member of the Echo Extension Club and was active in county and state SD Extension Homemakers. She was a member of First Lutheran Church in Sioux Falls and an active member of Springdale Lutheran Church Women. She served as Women’s Chairman of Lincoln County Farm Bureau and was active in Lincoln County Republican politics.

An excellent seamstress, Ruby lovingly styled and sewed many prom and bridesmaid dresses and dozens of quilts for the church. She was also accomplished at cake decorating. Countless hours spent in her vegetable and ﬂower gardens gave her much joy. Another form of relaxation was writing poetry, and her daughter, Kathy, helped her compile many of her poems into a book.

Rex and Ruby moved to Stoneybrook Assisted Living in 2010 and to Bethany Home in 2012. She suffered from Parkinson’s Disease for many years, never complaining and always thankful for those who helped care for her.

Ruby’s motto and advice to her family was always “If you’re handed a lemon, make lemonade.” She truly exempliﬁed that during the last years of her life.”