Fatima Mary Rucker, 85, of North Platte, NE, passed away Wednesday, May 8, 2013, at the North Platte Care Center.

Mary was born September 21, 1927, at Dickens, NE to Thomas Howard and Adella Ellen Demilt Bruce. She attended rural elementary school near Dickens. During her freshman and sophomore years she attended Dickens High School then graduated from North Platte High School. Mary later taught rural elementary school from 1946 to 1950 when she chose to raise her family.

On July 27, 1949, Mary married Philip Ernest Rucker at White Lutheran Church in Hayes County. They made their home in Frontier County until 1980 when they moved to Maywood.

In 1987 Mary moved to North Platte where she was active with the Green Thumb Program and did lots of volunteer work.

Mary was a member of Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, the North Platte American Legion Auxiliary and the Maywood VFW Auxiliary.

Mary is survived by her daughters, Rhonda (Bill) Strivens, of Hartington, NE and Deanna (Bear) Jorgenson, of Hershey, NE; a son, Rod (Alison) Rucker, of Parker, CO; eight grandchildren, Dianna (Chris) Brodine, Mary (Kelly) Lammers, Dustin (Joni) Jorgenson, April Truesdale (fiance, Dan Frickey), Samantha (Kyle) Minnick, Trace Daly, Matthew Rucker and Rachel Rucker; eleven great-grandchildren, Natalie, Sydney, Carter, Anna, Phoebe, Kearsyn, Alexis, Aidan, Brayden, Tucker and Cooper; sister-in-law, Marge Bruce; several nieces, nephews and other family.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Philip, in 1985; her parents, Thomas and Adella Bruce; three brothers, Fay (Irene) Bruce, Vern (Viva) Bruce and Donald Bruce; two sisters, Lela (Robert) Russell and Lula (Guy) Rucker; and two granddaughters, Jennifer Jorgenson and Carrie Strivens.

Funeral service will be 10 a.m. Monday, May 13, 2013, at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church with Pastor Robert Wiest officiating. Burial will follow in the Maywood Cemetery. Visitation will be Saturday from 5 to 8 p.m. and Sunday with family greeting friends from 4 to 6 p.m. at Odean Colonial Chapel At C & Sycamore. Condolences may also be shared at odeanchapel.com. Memorials are suggested to the Lincoln County Red Cross. Odean Colonial Chapel At C & Sycamore is in charge of arrangements.