Ruth Zapletal

ZAPLETAL RUTH

Ruth Rose Zapletal, age 94 of Tabor, SD passed away Thursday, March 29, 2018 at the Good Samaritan Center, Tyndall, SD.

Ruth Rose was born on April 10, 1923 in Springfield, SD to Charles and Josephine (Soukup) Fryda.  In her younger years, Ruth rode the corn planter behind a team of horses and herded cows in the ditches.  She walked to grade school at Equal Rights through the eighth grade, and graduated Springfield High School in 1941.  She then attended Springfield College where she  received a teacher certificate and started teaching country school.  During this time, she met Adolph Zapletal and were married September 1, 1947.  To this union, two children, James “Jim” and Mary, were born.  Ruth stayed at home to raise her family and went back to teaching country school until they consolidated in 1971.  She then went to work at the Tabor grade school as a teachers aid.  During summer vacations, she enjoyed spending time with her two grandkids.  She retired in 1991.  Ruth loved to garden her flowers, embroidery and playing cards or marbles with family and friends.  She was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary  of Tabor and was a member of the Retired Teachers Association and enjoyed getting together with the association.

Ruth is survived by her daughter, Mary McNeely of Tabor, SD; grandchildren, Randy of Tabor, SD and Melinda (Joey Mann) Bertrand of Tyndall, SD; great-grandchildren, Zakk Mage and Mederise Bertrand, both of Tyndall, SD and many nieces and nephews.

Ruth was preceded in death by her husband, Adolph; son, James (Jim); parents; son-in-law, Don McNeely; sisters, Helen (Chet) Fathke and Alice (Bob) Tupper and brother, Charlie (Rose) Fryda.