Longtime Manteca resident Ruth Odelia Dickman died peacefully on Nov 24, 2014, at age 87.  Ruth passed away from natural causes with family at her side.  She was born on May 25, 1927, in Konowa, Okla., the youngest of five children, and a proud member of the Potawatomi Indian Nation.  Ruth moved to Manteca in her teens.
   Ruth met the love of her life, Frank K.”Bud” Dickman, while working as an administrative assistant at Dr. Robert Winter’s office.  They were married for 59 years.  Together, they devoted themselves to building a home, raising six children and contributing to the Manteca community.  As a full-time housewife and mother, Ruth never took a day off.  She worked tirelessly at the everyday challenges of nurturing four boys and two girls, and their endless parade of friends and activities.
   Many will remember Ruth as a crossing guard at Lincoln Elementary, or as a playground attendant at St. Anthony’s and Lindbergh School.  Others will remember her driving the boy’s basketball team from St. Anthony’s to games throughout the Diocese’s, or hauling the Manteca High Song Leaders to football and basketball games. 
Christmas was a special time at the Dickman ranch.  Ruth’s eggnog recipe brought friends in from miles around.  As the consummate hostess, there was always room for more and food for everyone.   As the years progressed, it was fun to have friends and family call or come by and reminisce about these special holiday visits from years or even decades past.
   Ruth’s Catholic faith was a cornerstone of her life.  She was a member of the Legion of Mary at St. Anthony’s and the Perpetual Adoration at St. Patrick’s, both of these groups devoted to the Rosary and the Blessed Mother Mary.  Ruth said the rosary daily, often for hours, always praying for family, friends and anyone in need.  Ruth supported a number of charities, notable was “Our Lady’s Rosary Makers International “ where she handmade rosaries for distribution around the world. Ruth and Bud also supported St. Joseph’s Indian School in South Dakota.  Ruth was especially fond of Sister Ann’s luncheons, at St. Anthony’s, where she enjoyed the warmth and companionship of good friends.
   Ruth is survived by her six children, Annette Dickman of San Diego, Fred, Frank, and Michael of Manteca, Michelle, James and son-in-law Michael Maloof of Liberty Lake, Wash., sister Mary Beth Washam of Phoenix, Ariz. and grandchildren, Juliana Encinas and Jamie Dickman.
   P.L. Fry & Son is honored to be serving the Dickman family. There will be a Rosary prior to mass at 10 a.m. Mass will be held on Monday, Dec. 15, 2014 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, 19399 Highway 120 Ripon, at 10:30 a.m. She will be laid to rest with her beloved husband at St. John’s Catholic Cemetery. 

Manteca (Calif.) Bulletin
Thursday, Dec. 4, 2014