Ruth Fratzke

Ruth L. Fratzke, 91, of Miller, passed away Tuesday, September 8, 2015 at the Good Samaritan Society of Miller.

Funeral service were held at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, September 12, 2015 at the First Presbyterian Church, Miller with Rev. Brian Jones officiating. Visitation was held one hour prior to the funeral service. Burial followed at G.A.R. Cemetery, Miller.

Ruth Louise was born at her parents’, Lyle Eugene (Gene) and Lois Berniece (Templeton) Morrison, rural home south of Wessington. She is the third child of seven children, consisting of one boy and six girls. She received her elementary education in the rural Hand County schools Prairie View School and the McNeil School. She attended her freshman year at Wessington High School. She graduated from Miller High School in 1942. With her parent's approval to become a registered nurse, she graduated from the Methodist State Hospital, Mitchell, SD, in June 1945.

Ruth enjoyed her nursing positions in Montana, Kansas, Missouri, Arizona, Oregon, Aberdeen, and Miller, SD. She retired from nursing in June of 1994. Ruth was united in marriage to Edwin Henry Bahr May 4, 1946. In November of 1964 they were divorced. To this union two daughters and two sons were born. Ruth married Robert Arthur “Bob” Fratzke on May 28, 1971.

Ruth and Bob were married 41 years. They enjoyed fishing, playing cards, dancing and visiting with family and friends. Ruth spent her retirement thoroughly enjoying her research on genealogy. She did many beautiful cross stitch pictures that decorated their home. Ruth was christened September 25, 1994 in the First Presbyterian Church. Ruth was an active member of the Eastern Star and VFW Auxiliary.

Ruth is survived by her children: David (Donna) Bahr, Marysville, CA, Sylvia Bandy, Lubbock, TX, and Duane Robert (Bob) Bahr, Rapid City, SD; and Bob’s children: Carl (Glennis) Fratzke, Merle (Bobbi) Fratzke and Mary (Graham) Lawrie; two sisters, Roberta Harvey and Carolyn (Walt) Gutzmer; grandchildren: Cathleen Bahr Blackwell, Debra Bahr, David Bahr, Carrie Bahr, Robert (Bobby) Brenden, Jennifer Frazier and Travis (Trey) Bandy; step grandchildren: Monte Fratzke, Michelle Fratzke Buffetta, Robyn Fratzke Ragsdale, Melissa Dyer Adler, Jason Dyer and Lisa Dyer Shepherd; and numerous great grandchildren and nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Bob; her daughter, Vicki Lynn; her brother, Vere Morrison; and sisters: Lucille Heilman, Helen Kramlich, and Lois Jean Yost.

Reck Funeral Home of Miller has been entrusted with Ruth’s arrangements.