A LIFE WELL-LIVED

She was known a “The Puzzle Queen of Fairfield Glade.” Ruth Theodora Konrek passed away at Cumberland Chouse, Hospice of Cumberland County, in Crossville, Tennessee at the age of 101.

Born in Buffalo, New York on October 23, 1924, she was the only child of Stanley and Victoria Sykes. Her father, Stan, was awarded a contract from Kelsey Hayes as a Wheel Rim designer with a move to Detroit, Michigan.

Ruth married her childhood sweetheart, Eugene Donald Konrek, on April 1, 1944 and moved south with her Army Aviation Cadet husband, until he was honorably discharged in 1945.

They had five children and moved into their first house on Vaughan in Detroit. First came Judy (Olsen), husband Kent (who Ruth called “her Doctor” since he bandaged her many wounds and cared for her hearing aids). The siblings followed: Pamela (Donald) Haisman of Ft. Myers, FL, Carolyn (d. 2011), Gerry (Mary Ann) Konrek of Crossville, TN, and Nancy Lydic (d. 2023).

Ruth’s creativity was unmatched. She made miniature doll’s dresses as a decor which hung on tiny hangers Gene made, and shell and driftwood creations. She was most famous for her jigsaw puzzles which she personally framed and sold at numerous Craft Shows…The Puzzle Queen of Fairfield Glade.

Until Ruth was 90 years old, she played golf with her husband and children, the Ladies Group, and won several trophies. She was always proud of hitting straight down the fairway and parring the hole. Her motto was “back and swing, don’t think too much.”

She was the sweetheart of many who loved her at Cumberland House and was the Great Matriarch of her loving family.