Rubie Mae (Machu) Loessin was the eldest of nine children born to Albin E. and Vlasta Machu of Granger March 24, 1941. Ruby passed away Aug. 9, 2023.
Rubie would develop her skills in childcare assisting with her younger siblings.
Her first stint as childcare provider began in her teens when she became housekeeper and babysitter to the church pastor and his wife. Inspired by her parents’ level of participation, Rubie dedicated the same commitment to service in the Czech Brethren Church and S.P.J.S.T. Fraternal Lodge 20. Her roles included many years as president of the Christian Sisters, singing in the choir and 20 years as custodian—faithfully cleaning all facilities weekly.
While in high school, Rubie worked for Mikulencak’s Dry Goods store and, after graduating Granger High School in 1959, attended Durham’s Business College in Austin. During that period, she met Leslie Eugene Loessin of Circleville.
Les was soon indoctrinated into the Czech culture and institutions of the Machu clan, and the two married April 22, 1961.
That same year, the Loessin Gin in Circleville observed 40 years of operation on the north bank of the San Gabriel River. A half-mile north of this family enterprise, the newlyweds purchased property that became their home for the next 60 years. Les relocated his parent’s home to sit beside his and Rubie’s, and along with his dad, proceeded to open a new TV repair shop at the front gate. Soon after launching their new venture, Rubie began one of her own that lasted 40 years, providing child daycare in the home.
In this home full of other people’s children, Les and Rubie raised their two sons, Terry (1963) and Kelly (1973). It was a home full of laughter and love, with kinfolk enjoying coffee at her kitchen booth while Rubie supervised the kiddos and tended to her pressure cookers on the stove, all happening while polkas played on the radio.
Rubie loved old country stars, especially Porter and Dolly, who she met multiple times. The couple first took family to Nashville in 1968 and chartered bus tours she organized to the Grand Ol’ Opry and Dollywood became an annual tradition.
When her parents, and later Les’ mom, became informed they would be relocated to the house beside Les and Rubie’s where Rubie could serve as their caregiver. In this role, as she had done as mother, wife and childcare provider, she was fully self-sacrificing and focused on the needs of others. Providing this care while privately waging her own courageous health battles not once, but twice defeating cancer in 1999 and 2011.
In their sunset years, Les and Rubie delighted in time spent with their grandchildren and being outdoors in their yard.
Rubie was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in 2013, but was able to continue in the home she loved, increasingly with the help of family. December 2021 both she and Les transitioned to WinnieL Nursing Home in Cameron. The sons are eternally grateful to Rubie’s sisters as well as Amedisys Hospice Care and the WinnieL staff for providing outstanding care.
Rubie was preceded in death by her parents; and her brother, Eugene Machu.
She is survived by her husband Leslie; son, Terry of Circleville; son, Kelly (wife Stacey) of Georgetown; grandsons, Trevor (wife Sam) of Brenham and Payton Ames of Georgetown; granddaughter, Lauren (fiancé Will) of Hutto; brothers Albin F. Machu (wife Elaine), Marvin Machu (wife Barbara); sister-in-law Rose Machu; and her sisters Marie Ann (Henry) Ripple Jr., Angie Malicoat, Sharon (T.J.) Mikulec, Debbie (Larry) Haag, Sandra (Clement) Strmiska.
Visitation will be at from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 15 at Providence Funeral Home. Following services will be Wednesday at 10 a.m. at the Taylor Brethren Church. Rubie will be laid to rest at the Machu Family Cemetery in Granger. Following the internment a luncheon will be provided at the Taylor Brethren Church fellowship hall.
Memorial contributions can be made to the Machu Cemetery Association, 909 T.H. Johnson Drive, Taylor TX 76574. Or https:// machu-cemetery.org/ donations.html.
