MILDRED ELIZABETH COOKSEY RUZICKA

Mildred Elizabeth Cooksey Ruzicka was born Sept. 21, 1930, the daughter of James and Dona Cooksey. She was born and raised in the country west of Walnut Grove, and was a longtime resident of Brighton.
She attended a one room elementary school at Flint Hill, through the eighth grade and graduated from Walnut Grove High School in 1948. She attended Drury University and graduated from St. John's School of Nursing in 1951. She worked as a registered nurse at St. John's Hospital in Springfield, and retired from nursing in 1969.
Mildred and Tony Ruzicka, a WWII veteran, were united in marriage Sept. 15, 1953, and to this union five children were born. They shared almost 55 years together before he passed away on April 6, 2008.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Tony; a sister Juanita Owens and husband Fred and their daughters, Joyce Owens, Donna Owens Banner, and Janice Owens McMillan; sister in-law Margaret Cooksey; and brother Willard Cooksey.
She is survived by five children, Kenneth Ruzicka of Bolivar, Charlotte McDonald of Highlandville, Michael Ruzicka and wife Christie of Morrisville, Jeanie Freeman and husband Dick of Lake Ozark, and Carol Gilpin and husband Blake of Buffalo; 11 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren; one brother, Benjamin Cooksey of Brighton; a sister-in-law Betty Cooksey of Walnut Grove; as well as many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. 
A rosary prayer service and Mass of Christian burial service were Tuesday, Oct. 4, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Springfield. Burial followed at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Cemetery, Karlin. Online condolences may be made at greenlawnfuneralhome.com. Arrangements have been entrusted to Pitts Chapel, Bolivar.