Ruth Ann Fleck, of Prior Lake, passed away the morning of Monday, December 21, 2015 at the age of 76. A visitation will be held on Sunday, December 27, 2015 from 3:00 – 5:00 PM at Ballard-Sunder Funeral & Cremation in Prior Lake. Mass of Christian Burial is Monday, December 28, 2015 at 11:00 AM with visitation one hour prior at the Church of St. Michael in Prior Lake. Father Tom Sieg will preside. Ruth’s seven grandchildren will act as her pall bearers, and she will be laid to rest at St. Michael’s Cemetery in Prior Lake.

On July 1, 1939 Clarence and Catherine (Savage) Knoblauch celebrated the birth of their beautiful daughter, Ruth Ann. She was the youngest of four children and loved growing up in Minneapolis with her siblings, John, Butch and Elaine. As a girl, Ruth was diagnosed with Polio. She fought hard to overcome the challenges associated with Polio. Ruth learned a lot from this experience. It gave her a strength and courage that followed her throughout her life.

Shortly after graduating from high school, Ruth met a farm boy from Morrill, MN named Richard Fleck. Ruth fell head over heels in love with him. After a short courtship, Richard and Ruth were married on August 31, 1957. They exchanged wedding vows at St. Albert the Great Catholic Church in Minneapolis. They were blessed with three wonderful boys and raised them in Richfield. Upon becoming empty-nesters, Richard and Ruth moved to Prior Lake in the early 80’s.

As a family, the Flecks enjoyed spending as much time as they could in Brainerd. They owned two cabins on South Long Lake. They spent every weekend and vacation there. They enjoyed fishing, boating and being together as a family. Ruth and Richard made many wonderful friends and all three of their sons married women from the Brainerd area.

Once the boys were in school, Ruth began working outside the home. She had many jobs throughout the years and always had a reputation for being a hard worker. Ruth worked part time for Red Owl grocery stores and Gem catalog store. She later got a job as an underwriter for Commercial Union Insurance Company. Ruth was employed there for many years before making another career change. Next she worked as a para professional in the Prior Lake-Savage School District. Ruth loved working with children, and she had a gift for it. This was a very rewarding job for Ruth. Before retiring, she had one more job helping out at the Prior Lake Chamber of Commerce for a few years. Ruth especially liked being able to work closely with her daughter-in-law, Sandi.

Throughout her life and in retirement, Ruth pursued many hobbies and interests. She loved pan fishing for sunnies and croppies. Ruth and Richard spent a lot of time together on their snowmobiles. She loved any adventure with her husband and especially valued the time she got to spend with her family. Ruth especially loved being with her grandchildren. They all held a very special place in her heart.

After a year-long battle with leukemia, Ruth passed away peacefully in her home with her dog, Yogi, by her side. She was reunited with her beloved Richard and will be spending her first Christmas in Heaven. Ruth was a loving and caring woman. She always saw the good in people and put everyone else’s needs ahead of her own.

Ruth will be missed by her sons, Rick (Sandi) Fleck, Ron (Marlys) Fleck, Randy (Kim) Fleck; grandchildren, Chris (Brittany) Fleck, Kelli Fleck, Sara (Mark) Babineau, Joe Fleck, Amanda Fleck, Katie Fleck, Lizzie Fleck; brothers, John (Joanne) Knoblauch and Butch Knoblauch. She was greeted in Heaven by her husband, Richard Fleck; parents, Clarence and Catherine Knoblauch; sister, Elaine (Denny) Thielen; sister-in-law, Jeannie Knoblauch.

Ballard-Sunder Funeral & Cremation proudly serves the Fleck family.

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