Ruth F. Dickinson

Humanity has lost a rare being. Ruth F. Dickinson was called to her Heavenly Home on February 6 ^th , 2019.   Ruth was a light, a love, a wonder.   Her superhero name would have been something simple and direct, like "The Force." For she was indeed a force - for Faith, family and fun; for perseverance and hope; for friendship, community and service; and, of course, for reading, golf and proper grammar. Her words and actions resonate with all who knew her.

Ruth was born in St. Louis, MO, on April 6 ^th , 1933. She was the second-born of four children and the eldest daughter of Lillian (Wendt), a school teacher, and Kenneth Frankenstein, a Lutheran minister and US Army Major (Chaplain) and WWII veteran. As she would later say, "In my youth, I was not above the stereotypes of a "preacher's kid"." Her siblings were privy to her spirited ways and willingly share the stories of her escapades. Even years later, this zest for life manifested itself in unusual ways, most notably earning her the nickname "Leadfoot Ruthie."

In 1954, she graduated from Valparaiso University in Indiana, majoring in Music with minors in Education and PE. She moved to California with a group of friends and began her teaching career at Lutheran High School in Los Angeles. She loved the rhythms and energy of the big city and her first students. In 1957, she married Vernon Rieck, an artist for Walt Disney Studios. She earned her master's degree from Los Angeles State College in 1958. Her first daughter was born in 1961. Two years later, while pregnant with her second daughter, Vernon died suddenly and unexpectedly. Newly widowed, Ruth and her young daughters returned to her family in Illinois for support and comfort.

Ruth resumed teaching English at Millikin University in Decatur. It was at Millikin that she met Joel Dickinson, a fellow teacher. She often said that she knew for certain of his interest in her when he threw a snowball at her one afternoon. They were married (by her father) on June 8 ^th , 1965, and Ruth has been chuckling at Joel's jokes ever since. They had two more children, a son and another daughter.

Ruth and Joel's adventures together took them to many different locales. They lived in Missouri, Kansas, Michigan, Alabama, and finally moved to Ada, OK in 1982. Ruth taught English, and sometimes Women's Studies, at the local college in each of the towns they lived in. While teaching at Stephens College in Missouri, she co-authored a textbook for introductory collegiate composition courses entitled, Write Now! Substance-Strategy-Style . After years of teaching, Ruth embarked upon an entrepreneurial career, building a successful and thriving practice as a financial advisor for Mutual of New York (MoNY) and earning certifications as a CFP, CLU and ChFC. In retirement, she persuaded Joel to open his family's home in Montana as a guesthouse and enjoyed growing the business and helping guests.

Ruth was a tireless volunteer, giving her time and talents to many worthy organizations, including Ada Sunrise Rotary, Meals on Wheels, Ada Arts Council, Matthew 25 Mission, Soroptimist International, among others. But above all, her deep, abiding, and joyful Faith served as a wellspring for sharing her gifts with her spiritual homes. She was an accomplished musician, serving as Organist and Choir Director at many of the churches she belonged to. She taught numerous religion classes to both children and adults, led countless committees, participated fully in church life and passionately engaged in community projects that exemplified faith in action. While in Ada, Ruth attended First Lutheran Church for many years before moving to St. Luke's Episcopal Church in 2003.

Ruth's charisma was effervescent - she made friends wherever she went. She loved to travel and sail and swim. She was a fearless cook. She was always up for a friendly game of golf (or tennis or bridge or croquet). She was the first to say "yes" to a beach trip (or ski trip or camping trip). She was the galvanizing force behind many family reunions. She could have made a mint as a professional solitaire player. She even had a band named after her. And she never met a visor, a pastry or a book she didn't like. Ruth's laugh was quick and full, her hug even quicker and fuller.

Despite being faced with multiple illnesses, Ruth's inspirational courage was evident every day in her efforts to regain her health. Her family feels truly blessed to have loved her and been loved by her. She will be missed more than we can say, but we are enormously comforted by the knowledge that she is now with our Lord and Savior. God sent her his Holy Spirit. He enabled her Faith. He opened her heart to Him and she shared that heart and love and faith with us. And now finally, He gives her everlasting life with Him. For all of that, we are eternally and joyously grateful. We ask God to continue to bless her and keep her.

Ruth is survived by Joel, her faithful husband of 53 years, four loving children (Kris, Erica, Joel and Alison) and their spouses, 7 beautiful grandchildren (Cadence, Benjamin, Joshua, Sierra, Logan, Karina and Kiran), 1 radiant great-granddaughter (Rori), 3 devoted siblings (Ken, Lois, and Judy) and their spouses, a particularly close sister-in-law (Marilyn) and many of her beloved extended family from the Frankenstein, Rieck and Dickinson clans. She is predeceased by her parents and her first husband, among others.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, April 6th, at St. Luke's Episcopal Church in Ada. All are welcome. A reception will follow. If you would like to honor Ruth's memory and how she touched your life, please consider one of the following memorials: Matthew 25 Mission (a compassionate outreach of food and healthcare essentials to individuals and family) ℅ St. Luke's Episcopal Church, P.O. Box 890, Ada, OK 74820 or The Valpo Fund (earmarked for Scholarships) ℅ Valparaiso University Advancement, 1100 Campus Drive South, Valparaiso, IN 46383.