March 13, 1938 - February 2, 2022
Ruth M. Heyka, 83, of Belleville, Kan., died Feb. 2, 2022, at Brookdale of Shawnee in Shawnee, Kan., years after being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease.
Ruth was born March 13, 1938, in Bancroft, the daughter of Charles and Alice (Barslou) Fox. The family moved to Algona in 1944. Ruth is survived by brothers Ken Fox, St. Paul, Minn., Deacon Tom (Mary Jane) Fox, San Antonio, Texas, Nancy (Ty) Perry, Hendersonville, N.C. and Greg (Marcy) Fox, Des Moines. Ruth was preceded in death by her parents, sister Mary Alice (Keith) Campbell, and two brothers, Donald and Robert.
Ruth attended St. Cecelia’s Academy in Algona. After graduation, she attended St. Joseph’s Nursing School, Sioux City.
Ruth married James V. Van Allen (deceased), in 1957, divorced in 1973. From that union were born Cindy Van Allen (Brad) Durbin, Emporia, Kan., Tony Van Allen, deceased, Tim (Jeanette) Van Allen, Bella Vista, Ark., Tom Van Allen, deceased, Teresa Van Allen (William) Rincon, deceased, and Tammy Van Allen, deceased.
Ruth married Franklin Heyka of Belleville, Kan. on June 14, 1980, and gained three stepsons, Mike (Kristi) Heyka, Highlands Ranch, Colo., Mark (Kevin Hilton) Heyka, Missoula, Mont. and David Heyka, Belleville.
Ruth loved farm life and partnered with Frank. She gardened, drove trucks, and delivered meals to the field even after moving to town in 1996.
Ruth is survived by so many others she loved and love her; 13 grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Ruth was a devout and dedicated Catholic. She truly lived her faith, as evidenced by her lifelong service to the church and community. While in Topeka, Kan., Ruth was the Most Pure Heart of Mary School secretary. In Belleville, Ruth was a Confirmation Catechist for over 20 years, president of the Council of Catholic Women, a Eucharistic Minister and more. Twice, she attended the March for Life in Washington, DC., and World Youth Day in Denver, Colo., 1993, with her grandson, Jon Durbin.
Ruth volunteered for hospice and enjoyed playing in several bridge groups. She was active in Cursillo. She was a watercolor and charcoal artist.
Ruth traveled the world; she visited Mexico and Europe, including pilgrimages to Lourdes, Rome and Medjugorje. She traveled to the Holy Land.
Tibbetts-Fischer Funeral Home in Belleville will host a visitation on March 4, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. A rosary will follow at 5:30 p.m. at St. Edward’s Catholic Church in Belleville, Kan. Mass of Christian Burial will be March 5 at 10 a.m. Ruth’s final resting place will be at St. Josephat’s Cemetery in rural Belleville. Officiants are Father Henry Baxa, Belleville, and Deacon Tom Fox, of the Pilgrim Center of Hope in San Antonio, Texas.
If it is your wish, in lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the St. Edward’s Catholic Church Religious Education program or The Pilgrim Center of Hope, San Antonio, TX, 7680 Joe Newton St., San Antonio, TX,78251