Ruby Kay Korte, a bright, loving and joyful spirit, was born on Tuesday, August 4, 2020. Tragically, she left this world too soon on Tuesday, January 20, 2026, at the tender age of 5. She was lovingly known by her family through a variety of endearing nicknames, including “Ruby Tuesday,” “Ruby Red,” “Rainbow Ruby,” “Ru Ru,” “Ruby Avocado,” “Ruby Two Sticks,” “Ruby Doo,” “Alice,” and “Rock-n-Roll Ruby.”

Ruby Kay was a radiant little girl whose laughter and infectious happiness would light up any room she entered. As one of eight children, she found it easy to shine and had no problem making her presence known among the group. Vibrant and full of life, she had a particular fondness for the color red and cherished her time spent with her beloved siblings. From snuggling up with loved ones, to confidently stomping around in her sparkly gold cowgirl boots, to dressing up and creating magical “set-ups,” Ruby Kay embraced every adventure with joy. She spent months between birthdays planning her “second birthday.” She was never camera shy and filled everyone’s camera roll. She shared delightful “work days” with her Daddy, savoring his delicious sourdough waffles, and enjoyed a myriad of activities, including coloring, gymnastics, dancing, and feeding the chickens and other farm friends. She announced it was “snuggle buddy time” every night before bed and she loved to tease her parents by chanting “kiss on the lips!” She loved to play in “fake life” or tell everyone something was “for real life!” There would never be enough “taco rolls,” “pizza Fridays,” or bike rides with Daddy. Ruby Kay also adored caring for her baby siblings, you’d often find her packing a baby on her hip with a big smile and she’d refuse to hand the baby off. She could talk your ear off and was in constant chatter playing with her brother William. She cherished her older sisters and looked up to them very much. Sometimes she would only cooperate if her “buddy V” or “my Biley” (Violet) assisted. Ruby Kay came up with many of the family nicknames. Ruby was a joyful parishioner of Holy Cross Catholic Church, the Steelville Homeschool Co-op, and a proud new member of Oak Hill 4H Club. She was enchanted by her favorite characters from Frozen, the Grinch, and Trolls. She could often be found belting out the song, “It’s a Hard Knock Life” after telling Mom to say “What’s a hard knock life?” or “don’t touch my medicine cabinet!” so she had the perfect lead-in to burst into song. She enjoyed falling asleep to the lull of the rosary being prayed with her family.

“Hail, Holy Queen, Mother of Mercy,

our life, our sweetness and our hope.

To thee do we cry,

poor banished children of Eve.

To thee do we send up our sighs,

mourning and weeping in this valley of tears.

Turn then, most gracious advocate,

thine eyes of mercy toward us,

and after this our exile

show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus. O clement, O loving,

O sweet Virgin Mary.”

“Let us pray,

O God, whose only begotten Son, by His life, death, and resurrection, has

purchased for us the rewards of eternal life. Grant, we beseech Thee, that

while meditating on these mysteries of the most holy Rosary of the Blessed

Virgin Mary, that we may both imitate what they contain and obtain what they promise, through Christ our Lord. Amen. 

”Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us.

Immaculate Heart of Mary, pray for us.

While Ruby’s life was brief, she leaves behind a deep and enduring love. Ruby Kay is survived by her loving parents, Richard and Kayla Korte, along with her adoring siblings Sophia, Violet Mae, June, William, Lucille Belle, Perla Dove, and Everett, all of Steelville. Her “big sisters” Raylynn Belle Henson and Alexis Lea. Her grandparents, Joe and Angie Medwick of Cuba, Walter Korte (Taleta Diaz) of Steelville, and Stacie (Roger) Stewart of Owensville, along with great-grandparents Kay (Hubert) Pascoe of Dade City, FL, Connie Echols (Charlie Yowell) of Cuba, and Amy Ryan of Kansas City, will carry her memory close to their hearts. She is also remembered fondly by her aunts and uncles: Katrina Korte (Jake Travis), William Korte (Kayla Baum), Maryanne Korte, Alexandra (Neal) Grogan, and Jenna (Jesse) Mills; great-aunts and great-uncles: Casilda (Joe) Kekeisen, Cathy (Mark) Buncher, Virginia (and Ruby’s special buddy - John) Watson, Mike (Rose) Korte, and Greg Echols andson Ryan Echols; great-great aunt and great-great-uncle Riva and Ray Echols; as well as her treasured cousins Rowan, Clementine, Evangeline, Blaine, Zaverie, and all the Korte cousins. Ruby’s extended family of special friends, including the Navarro family, Cason family, Soto family, Durham family, the Lea family and Stubblefield family, will always remember her radiant smile and the joy she brought into their lives.

She is preceded in death by her great-grandparents Joseph Medwick, II and Leslie Echols, Richard and Marilyn Korte, Shelvie Ryan, and Terrance Ryan; as well as her great-uncles Fr. William Korte, Ralph Korte, and Steve Korte; and special family friends who held a special place in her heart. May we join the Korte family in thanking God for the short time Ruby Kay spent in our temporal home. We join them in gratitude to be gifted with the presence of such a sweet, joyful, loving and innocent soul. We mourn her special presence because it gives us a small glimpse into the goodness of God’s love. We glorify God and take comfort knowing Ruby Kay is in her eternal home, as we wait in joyful hope for the coming of our savior, Jesus Christ. May her soul, and all the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.

Visitation will take place on Monday, January 26, 2026, 4:00 p.m. until time of the rosary service 7:00 p.m. at Mizell Funeral Home & Crematory. This will be a time to share stories, reflect on cherished memories, and honor Ruby's legacy.

A Funeral Mass in her honor will be held Tuesday, January 27, 2026, 10:00 a.m. at Holy Cross Catholic Church with Fr. Mark Smith, Fr. Noah Waldman and Fr. Tony Onyeihe, as the celebrants. Following the mass, a private graveside service will take place at St. Michael Cemetery in Steelville, Missouri, where we will lay her to rest surrounded by love.

To continue the celebration of Ruby's life, a luncheon will be hosted at the First Assembly of God Church in Steelville. As a tribute to our beloved "Ruby Red," we encourage guests to wear the color red, symbolizing the joy she brought to our lives.

In lieu of flowers, we invite those who wish to honor Ruby’s memory to contribute to the Ruby Kay Korte Memorial Charitable Trust at Peoples Bank, ensuring that her kind spirit continues to make a difference in the lives of others.

The Mizell Funeral Home & Crematory is privileged to serve the family of Ruby Kay Korte. Let us come together to remember a remarkable individual who brightened our days and lives.