Ruth G. ‘Grandma Goofy’ Fleck, 86, passed away peacefully on November 30th, 2013, on the morning of her 66th wedding anniversary at North Platte Care Center. She took her last breath surrounded by her loving family.
She was a New Year’s baby, born January 1st, 1927 to ‘Mama Cecile’ Elliot and ‘Winnie Pa’ Dennis in Laredo, MO. She lived on a farm with her parents and 3 sisters until she graduated from Laredo High school in 1945 and promptly moved to Kansas City, MO. Ruth worked at the Forum Cafeteria in Kansas City where she met her lifelong sweetheart, a recently discharged veteran of WWII, Stephen G. Fleck. They married on November 30, 1946. Ruth and Steve made several moves in the Midwest across several states from Garden City, Kansas to Indianapolis, Indiana, until they finally settled in North Platte, NE in 1965 with their six children.
Ruth was a career mother who was committed to raising her children. She finally went to work outside the home at Gibson’s Discount Center in August of 1970 where she enjoyed her work as a clerk in the School Supply and Toy Departments until she retired in 1992. Ruth was an active member of Saint Patrick’s Catholic Church and enjoyed celebrating the mass with her husband and family on Saturday evenings.
She loved Bingo and Slot machines and enjoyed her trips North to Rosebud Casino but her main focus was her family and she was devoted to making them happy. Ruth’s coffee shop was always open for ‘mom therapy sessions’ and her round table entertained many lively debates from religion to politics. She was wife, mom, grandma, great grandma, great great grandma, counselor and confidant…most of all she was a friend and will be missed by all!
Ruth was proceeded in death by her parents, Cecile and Emmett Dennis; two sisters, Frances Todd and Margie Fisk; two grandsons, Shane Toll and Jason Sedlacek.
She is survived by her husband, Stephen G. Fleck; two sons, Steven ‘Mick’ (Sue) Fleck and Duane (Jody) Fleck; four daughters, Linda (Ray) Toll, Cindy (Tom) Huntsman, Marsha (Gene) Sedlacek, Madonna (Stacey) Madsen all of North Platte except Linda who is from Hoxie, KS; a sister, Alice Stottlemyer of Bolivar, MO.; 21 grandchildren; 36 great-grandchildren; and two great great grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers a memorial has been established to the North Platte Catholic School Endowment Fund and online condolences may be made www.adamsswanson.com.
Christian Wake Service will be 7:00 PM, Tuesday, December 3, 2013 at Saint Patrick’s Catholic Church. Mass of Christian Burial will be 11:00 AM, Wednesday, December 4, 2013 at Saint Patrick’s Catholic Church with the Rev. James Golka as celebrant. There will be a reception following mass in the hall. Burial will be at Fort McPherson National Cemetery near Maxwell. Visitation will be Monday and Tuesday from 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM at Adams & Swanson Funeral Home which is in charge of arrangements.