Ruby Telecky

Ruby N. Telecky, age 99, died July 6, 2011, in Bellevue.

She was born to Joe and Elizabeth (Koch) Schafer on May 1, 1912. The family lived on the farm outside Ritzville until Joe became the sheriff and then they moved to the old courthouse. Most of her life was spent in Ritzville with exception of a few years she spent in Spokane and Wenatchee.

She married Lowell Benedict in the early 30s and had a son: Dan Earl Benedict in 1935. In 1979 she married Howard Telecky and cared for him until his death in 1992.

She operated a beauty salon in Ritzville for many years; first on Main Avenue and eventually moved it to her home. More recently she is better known as the “Bear Lady.” She made bears for the DARE program and even rode in a parade showing off her DARE bears.

A book was published called “Bears to the Rescue,” explaining how she started making bears after her son died, as a way for her to survive. Her bears have been dressed in law enforcement uniforms as well as military and many others depicting special occasions.

She was also an avid jigsaw puzzler. She was a member of the Trinity United Methodist Church in Ritzville and had been a delegate to Annual Conference and President of UMW. She was a member of the Order of Easter Star where she served in many capacities.

Golf and bowling were favorite sports and she won several trophies competing at each of them.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Lowell Benedict; son, Dan E. Benedict; husband, Howard Telecky; sisters, Viola Treadwell, Verna Herring, Joe Labes; and brother, Lawrence Schafer.

Survivors are daughter-in-law Carol Benedict of Renton; grandchildren, Rebecca Benedict of Renton, Dave and Dan Benedict of Ritzville and Paul Swanson of Kent; great-grandchildren, Jennifer Swanson and Jason Olson of Auburn, Kyle Briggs of Renton and Joe Benedict of Ritzville; great-great grandchildren Elijah Olson and Isaiah House-Clark; a niece, Judy Paschen (Bart) of Yakima; three nephews, Del (Dellas) Herring of Wenatchee, James Treadwell of Yakima and Scott Labes of Spokane; and many great nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be Friday, June 15, 2011, from noon to 5 p.m. at Danekas Funeral Home-Ritzville.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, July 16, 2011, at 1 p.m. at Trinity United Methodist Church in Ritzville.

Private interment will be at Ritzville Memorial Cemetery.

Memorials are suggested to Trinity United Methodist Church, Ritzville, or St Peter’s United Methodist Church, 17222 N.E. 8th St., Bellevue, WA 98008.

Condolences may be left at http://www.danekasfuneralhome.org