George Ruzicka was born February 1, 1933, in rural Decatur County to Joe
and Emma Hruska Ruzicka. He passed away at Decatur Health hospital on
May 27, 2022, at the age of 89.
George grew up on the farm and graduated from Decatur Community High
School with the class of 1951. He married Willa Jean Synder on March
10, 1956, in Colorado Springs, CO. They moved to the farm Southeast of
Oberlin. They had four children. He farmed and worked on the oil rigs,
then started at the Decatur County Road and Bridges, where he retired in
2002 at the age of 70. He continued to work for the Jennings Township
until he was 85 years old when he had to give up working the road grader
and mowing.
George loved to hunt, fish, and go to all kinds of animal sales and
auctions where he brought many “treasures”. He enjoyed to garden and
took pride in his veggies and watermelons; he loved going to the
farmer’s market. He loved his family and friends and always enjoyed
visiting with everyone.
George is the oldest Ruzicka to be buried in the Big Timber Cemetery, he was also the longest living Ruzicka to live to date.
George was preceded in death by his parents, Joe and Erma; wife,
Willa Jean Synder; sons, Dennis, Doyle, and Darrel; daughter, Georganne
Johnson; brother, Premysl “Bud” Ruzicka, and sister, Violet Myers.
He is
survived by his daughter-in-law, Nancy Vath of Oberlin, KS; son-in-law,
Greg Johnson of Tok, AK; grandchildren, Derek (Madelyn) Morel of Las
Vegas, NV, Zeke (Kayla) Ruzicka of Oberlin, KS, Zachary Ruzicka of
Oberlin, KS, Patricia Chitwood of Onlaska, WI, Scott Ruzicka of
California, Chris (Kayla) Ruzicka of Hastings, NE, Levi Johnson of Tok,
AK, Lacey (Herbie) Johnson of Tok, AK, and Wade (Stacy) Johnson of Tok,
AK; great grandkids and nieces and nephews.
Inurnment will be held at 11:00 am Saturday, July 16, 2022, at the
Big Timber Cemetery, Jennings, KS. Condolences may be left at
www.paulsfh.com