Ruby Vapenik

Ruby Vapenik, 97 of Sutherland, Nebraska, passed away Thursday, December 17, 2020, at the Sutherland Care Center.

Ruby was born December 31, 1922, at Norcatur, Kansas, to Leo and Myrtle (Sloan) Pickard.

On February 2, 1944, Ruby married James Vapenik, and the couple made their home south of Grainton. The couple made their home in and around the Grainton area their entire married lives. Their union was blessed with three children, Eugene, Maxine, and Tim.

Ruby always enjoyed her neighbors, and the feeling was mutual. She spent hours working in her yard and cultivating her flowers. She had a cheerful disposition, with a twinkle in her eye and an easy chuckle that was distinctly her own. In 1985, Ruby was honored with the Perkins County Good Neighbor Award, which fairly well encapsulated who Ruby was. At the age of 97, Ruby was a matriarch of a special season of eastern Perkins County gone by.

Ruby was preceded in death by her husband, James; her parents; a sister; two brothers; brothers-in-law, George and Leslie; and a sister-in-law, Alice.

Survivors include her children, Eugene of Cassville, Wisconsin, Maxine Stewart of Elsie, and Tim (Deb) of Wallace; six grandchildren, Chris, Josh, Jon, Ben, Kelli, and Dana; seven great-grandchildren; along with numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.

Services were held on Saturday, Dec. 19, 2020, at the Elsie Cemetery with John Long officiating.

A memorial has been established in Ruby’s memory for later designation. Condolences may be shared at bullocklongfuneralhome.com, where a recording of the service will be posted.

 Bullock-Long Funeral Home of Grant is in charge of arrangements.