Ruth Creasey

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Obituary

Ruth Creasey, 94, of Mitchell, SD, died Tuesday, May 7, 2024, at her home in Mitchell. Funeral services will be at 10:30 AM Monday, May 13, at First United Methodist Church in Mitchell. Burial will be at Woodlawn Cemetery in Sioux Falls. Visitation will be Sunday, May 12, from 2-4:00 PM at Bittner Funeral Chapel.

A live stream of Ruth's service can be viewed at: https://www.downtownfirstumc.com/worship-using-technology

Ruth Ilene Creasey (Pesicka/Simpson) was born April 16, 1930 in a farmhouse located between Geddes and Armour, SD. She was the daughter of James and Eva Mae (Miley) Pesicka as the 9th of 10 children. Ruth had seven sisters and two brothers all of whom are deceased except her youngest sister, Joan LeDoux, living in Minneapolis. Ruth attended Country School for 12 years through high school.

Ruth married Frank Wesley Simpson in June of 1948. To this union, five daughters were born: Linda, Marcia, Debbie, Cathy, and Sheri. Frank and Ruth moved from the Geddes/Armour area, after their first daughter was born, to Minneapolis, MN where their four other daughters were born. Ruth ran a daycare in her home in Minneapolis all while raising her five young daughters. The family relocated to Maquoketa, IA around 1965 where the two oldest daughters graduated high school. The family then relocated one last time to Sioux Falls, SD in 1970. Ruth held several jobs in Sioux Falls. She worked in Retail Sales at Fantles Dept. Store and Schrivers Dept. Store for many years. Her husband, Frank, passed away on April 29th, 1971 at the young age of 46. Ruth raised her three youngest daughters in Sioux Falls by herself, and continued her Retail Sales. Ruth also worked downtown Sioux Falls at Northwestern Bell as a District Operator Service Manager.

Ruth met and married Vern Creasey in February of 1981. They lived on Creasey Farms in Geddes, SD for 7 or 8 years before retiring and settling in Mitchell, SD in the late 1980's. Ruth kept very busy in Mitchell with her volunteer work at Avera Queen of Peace Hospital for 20+ years. She also volunteered as a Greeter at The Corn Palace, greeting visitors for over 10+ years. Ruth was active in many groups/organizations. She was a lifetime member of ESA (Epsilon Signa Alpha) for over 50 years, active in many circles in her First United Methodist Church, a PEO member for over 20 years, Moose Lodge and Elks Lodge member.

Ruth's main passion was her love of dancing. She danced her entire life. She loved ballroom dancing, square dancing, tap dancing, and basically ALL types of dancing!! That was her "Happy Place".

Husband Vern Creasey passed away in March of 1997. Ruth stayed in Mitchell, SD after Vern’s death. She stayed busy with all her organizations, and she also got involved in playing ALL kinds of card games. She loved playing Bridge, MahJong, Pinochle, Pitch, and even a good Dice or Poker game.

Ruth met Michael D. Ryan in 1999, and he became her dancing, card playing, traveling, and good friend. Ruth was able to take many trips out of the country over her life. Mike and Ruth made several trips out of the country together, and she also took many cruises out of the country with her daughter, Cathy. Mike passed away in Nov. of 2020.

Ruth cherished her five daughters and held a special relationship with each of them. She had nine grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren. 

Ruth lost her daughter, Marcia Bolte, to Covid in 2020. She is survived by her four daughters, Linda Johnson, Mitchell, SD, Deborah (Gary) Brawley, Erie, CO, Catherine Williams, Rapid City, SD, and Sheri (Mike) Simpson, Frederick, CO.

Ruth lived a long, happy, and healthy life, and will be missed by many.

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