Ruth Anne and I corresponded by email for the past year as she wrote articles about Bill's work on the high school sculpture project and then met for the first time at the dedication in August. I sent her a brief thank you email after the dedication, but before her beautiful article appeared the following Thursday in the paper. I intended to send her a formal thank you, debating what was best - maybe a surprise bouquet of flowers at her office, or a letter to the editor expressing our appreciation for her keen insight and understanding. With a long "to-do" list that I continually re-prioritize, I had resolved to make a decision before Thanksgiving. And now it is too late to tell her personally what her writing meant to us; another reminder to never put off something important. My thoughts and prayers are with her family and friends at this time. She will be missed.

Nancy Huber
Florence, CO

I facilitated the Biggest Loser Program when Ruth Anne participated. She was so proud when she won and I was gong to meet her for the follow up last p.m. (Nov. 12th). She had all of us laughing with her funny stories about her workouts, etc. She also came to our (Shakopee Community Education) special events and took pictures for us. Was always smiling, never complained even though I knew she worked long hours. Truly going to miss working with her.

Cindy Justice, Adult Programs Coordinator, Shakopee Community Education

I am so sorry about this loss………Ruth Ann was a HUGE supporter of the fine arts here in Shakopee………she was always looking for the next story to bring the arts to the community through publications and pictures……..she even asked me to call her from New Orleans when the band tourned New Orleans this past March over spring break so she could quote kids who were there, right that minute. I passed my cell phone around on the bus…….She wanted to know how it was going for them and wanted to spread the word about what a wonderful high school band we had……..along with her fine writing for our drama department, choir and speech. She was terrific at many things, but this Mom and district employee really appreciated the extra mile she went to promote the fine arts in our schools. I will so miss her and my sympathies to her daughter and family.

Sincerely,
Michelle Bahr

When Ruth Anne left the school board meeting late Monday night, she left with a wave and a smile on her face. None of us in the room could have possibly imagined what would lie ahead in Ruth Anne's life. I am still shocked and terribly saddened by the tragic news.

I want you to know how sorry I am for your loss. Ruth Anne was a top-notch reporter, but more importantly, a terrific person. I cannot begin to imagine the grief her colleagues are experiencing.

As I called the school board members yesterday afternoon, I could detect disbelief in each person's voice. Only hours before, Ruth Anne had been in the board room with us. She was very well liked and respected for her work by the board and the entire administrative staff of the Shakopee Schools. Ruth Anne had a gift for creating an interesting story; she also was skilled at providing accurate information. This type of writing was a great benefit to the District, and in turn helped in the educational opportunities for the young people of this community.

On behalf of the Shakopee School Board, I want to extend our deepest sympathy to the staff of the Shakopee Valley News. We share in your sorrow at this very sad time.

Kathy Busch
Shakopee School Board

I was in complete shock this morning when I got the news. I missed the nightly news report and had messages on my phone and email waiting for me in the morning from my teachers regarding this tragedy. Ruth Ann had become somewhat of a fixture here at special events and school functions. She got to know a few of our teachers and did such an amazing job capturing the spirit of the different things she covered at Shakopee Area Catholic School. I remember when she came for a “quick visit” of a staff development trip to Feed My Starving Children. She ended up staying the whole time, completing an incredible photo essay that made everyone here proud of that moment. She joined us for other staff events, student functions and most recently adjusted a weekend schedule so that she could cover our Alumni Reunion in September.

I am still in disbelief and I’m still receiving, “Hey Scott… have you heard about Ruth Ann” emails from people here at SACS. She was a fantastic person, obviously dedicated to her work and an absolute joy to be around. I know that our prayers are with you all at the Valley News.

Scott Breimhorst
Principal, Shakopee Area Catholic School

I had the pleasure of meeting Ruth Anne many years ago when I joined Ruth Anne & her sister Karen to walk the Chicago Marathon. In spite of our blisters and sore muscles I remember Ruth Anne's crazy sense of humor keeping us going! When her sister contacted me last night I was in shock and just heartbroken for Ruth Anne's family. While I didn't know about her work with the schools, etc. I can tell from this blog that Ruth Anne touched many in her community.

Lynn Haag
Ojai, CA

I just wanted to say how sorry I am to the two of you & your whole team for your loss of a special co-worker in the tragic death of Ruth Ann. We had the privilege of working with Ruth Ann just a few weeks ago as she so professionally covered the "Mammo Party" story, spending several hours with us talking and interviewing me, my friends and St. Francis co-workers and then delivered a great story & photos. This is of course, just one recent example of all the great stories she covered for St. Francis and the community over the years. I know you must be very sad today...but just wanted you to know that we are thinking of Ruth Ann's Shakopee Valley News family too....

Theresa Johnson

I'd like to take this opportunity to thank the paper for all they have done for Ruth Anne. Your staff went out of their way for her.
Ruth Anne was her Dad's daughter. As her mother we had a lot in common & got along very well, but first & for most she was her Dad's daughter. When her sisters & brother wanted something special, they always said "Ruth Anne, you ask him 'cuz he never says no to you."
And Ruth Anne adored her Dad. She was never embarrassed by him like most kids are when they are growing up. She listened to him & observed what he did & said. What she learned from him showed up in her writing. I recently read one of her blogs & it was all about his funny "adages." I've heard them for over 50 years & they drive me crazy, but not her. She could have written an entire book about her Dad & his funny sayings. Ruth Anne always a beautiful smile & an enjoyable clown.

I met Ruth Anne on Saturday Nov 8th at the Minneapolis Kennel Club dog show. She was interviewing us about our white Bull Terrier, Ruthy ( also known as Ruth Anne) . We were laughing about the fact they had the same name. In the brief time we chatted, she impressed me as a sweet, vibrant person. She was outgoing and seemed to love her job. She was so good with the dogs and was enjoying the fact that Ruthy was "famous", ( she is the current Bullseye for Target). I told her to tell her friends her "namesake" was a celebrity. I cannot believe she is gone. I did not know her well but feel a lose non the less.

Kelly Feickert

Ruth Anne did an outstanding job covering all of our school events, activities and achievements. I always got a good laugh from her ever since she first interviewed me back in Feb. We sometimes exchanged jokes or funny e-mails, something I’ve never done with any reporter in any PR job I’ve had and in all my years in the business. I trusted her completely and she was such a wonderful person. When I introduced her to my family at the recent Pumpkins At the Park event, I introduced her as a friend. It was so much fun to work so closely with her. She will be so dearly missed.
Cristina Oxtra, Communications Coordinator, Shakopee School District

On behalf of myself and my family, please accept our most sincere condolences. Ruth was a good-hearted woman. Although we only had the pleasure of meeting her a handful of times, she will always be remembered and has a place in my family's hearts, not only as a kind woman, but also a very professional journalist, and did The Shakopee Valley Newspaper proud.
There are no words for your loss, but know there are many people praying for all of you.
I pray for the day her loved one's won't remember her with sorrow, but with love and good memories, and smiles.
May God give you strength and guidance for the loss of such a beautiful person in your life and please know you are not alone in her passing, she touched many lives and will live on in everyone's hearts and memories.
With our Love and prayer's,
Pam and Jim Hagadorn

We just recently learned of the tragic death of Ruth Anne Maddox. Our hearts go out to Ruth Anne's family, as no one, regardless of the circumstances, want to receive the message that everyone dreads. As the former police chief for the City of Savage I always enjoyed Ruth Anne's honest and impartial reporting of incidents, involving the Savage Police Department. Her low key demeanor and calm expressions made it easy to talk and work with. Also, Kristin (my wife) had contact with Ruth Anne as a 4th grade teacher with Glendale Elementary, in Savage, and stated she always had a great interest in her assignments, regardless what they were. Again, our condolences to the family, friends, and staff members of the Southwest Newspapers.

Gordon J. Vlasak

Ruth Anne: I can't tell you how much I will miss you. Thank you for all of the smiles and joy you brought to work each day. I wish that I could have helped or done something. But I will never forget the foot prints you have left in my life. May the Lord keep you and guide you and may you rest in piece.

To her family: I pray that each of you find the peace in this hard time. I know what a loss this is for you, and hope that justice will be served.

Thank you for the condolences. We at Southwest Newspapers are a sad bunch right now. Readers from Jordan, where I work, might be familiar with Ruth Anne Maddox's name, as she has gotten an occasional byline in the Jordan Independent and she posted frequent -- almost daily at times -- comments on the Web site. Here are some of her recent comments, which help me remember her fondly:

- http://www.jordannews.com/community/mathias-baden/im-uncle#comment-4854;

- http://www.jordannews.com/community/forums/youth-sports/are-your-kids-ha...

- http://www.jordannews.com/community/forums/recommend-it/chewy-sweetarts#...

- http://www.jordannews.com/community/mathias-baden/how-ill-get-my-air-jor...

- http://www.jordannews.com/community/forums/local-games/have-good-winter-...

- http://www.jordannews.com/news/entertainment/columnist-extends-his-commu...

- http://www.jordannews.com/community/brandon/too-many-junk-e-mails-vacati...

- http://www.jordannews.com/community/brandon/highway-169#comment-4374;

- http://www.jordannews.com/news/animals/city-considers-dangerous-dog-ordi...

- http://www.jordannews.com/community/brandon/lunch-what-s-big-deal-anyway...

- http://www.jordannews.com/community/mathias-baden/watch-swimmers#comment...

- http://www.jordannews.com/community/forums/recommend-it/what-are-you-rea...

- http://www.jordannews.com/community/mathias-baden/its-over-kiss-twins-pl...

- http://www.jordannews.com/community/brandon/breakfast-lunch-and-dinner-i...

- http://www.jordannews.com/community/brandon/stored-store-knowledge#comme...

- http://www.jordannews.com/community/brandon/wedding-update-long-weekend#...

- http://www.jordannews.com/community/forums/todays-topic/roger-clemens-fo...

- http://www.jordannews.com/community/forums/todays-topic/are-you-afraid-d...

- http://www.jordannews.com/community/forums/todays-topic/morn-ohhhhhhhhhh...

- http://www.jordannews.com/community/forums/todays-topic/really-fast-typi...

- and http://www.jordannews.com/community/brandon/no-parking#comment-4020.

I worked with Ruth Anne on several projects while she was with the Valley News. She was always so pleasant, organized and positive. Ruth Anne was a bright, spirited and beautiful person with a great sense of humor.

Last year, Ruth Anne interviewed my daughter for the Valley News. The story, about my daughter's acting career, brought out the very best in my daughter. I wasn't sure what Ruth Anne could ask my daughter during the interview that hadn't already been printed, but Ruth Anne knew all of the right questions.

Ruth Anne wrote so many heart-warming, compassionate stories over the years, and that's how she lived her life. I will miss her greatly, and will be reminded of this every time I pull into the Valley News parking lot since we parked right next to each other nearly every day. I always chuckled at her dogs' nose and foot prints on her back window.

Still in shock,
Lorris Thornton

I want always to remember my dear cousin "Baby Ruth". All the kind words and stories of sincerity will hopefully relieve some of the anguish and devastation my family is experiencing. I can't remember Ruth Anne without a gigantic smile on my face. I am sure that she is in heaven dancing the Macarana. Love you forever Ruth Anne. Nancy

Dearest Staffers of the Shakopee Valley News, Family members of Ruth Anne, and her Friends:

Words cannot express my sorrow for the senselessness of your loss of such a bright, beautiful, caring woman like Ruth Anne Maddox. May Christ hold you in His arms and heal you at such a difficult time.
Although I did not know her personally, many staffers I work with here at the South Bend (IN) Tribune know her from her days at the Warsaw Times Union and have very fond memories of her. One of my editors even remembers her from high school.
I wish you Christ's peace at this difficult time.
Barbara J. Allison, Photojournalist, South Bend Tribune

Ruth Anne was just a wonderful lady, always smiling and alway full of life.
I'll never forget during my time working with her at the Times-Union in Warsaw how she could always make you smile and laugh.
I also remember how much she truly loved being a mom and how much
her daughter Kelsey meant to her.
My deepest sympathy goes out to everyone who held Ruth Anne near
and dear in their hearts. My prayers are with all of you during this
time.
Please remember the Ruth Anne that I will, someone who was a blessing
to all of us who were fortunate to cross paths with her.

Scott Davidson, Sportswriter, South Bend Tribune, South Bend, IN

So many of the testimonials I've read about Ruth Anne at this website start out with "I met Ruth Anne when she interviewed me for.....". Our story is the same. Ruth Anne came to our business at the beginning of October to do a story and we sat down with her and talked and laughed. I am profoundly saddened by the death of this wonderful woman although I only met her that one time for an hour. I truly feel that I have lost a friend yet I barely knew her. She seems to have had this effect on so many people. She was fun to be around, engaging, and truthful. The story that she did on our family and our business was wonderfully written and when I told her we would be out of town when the paper came out, she asked me how many copies I wanted and she would save them for me. How many people do you know who would go out of their way like that for a stranger? Ruth Anne seemed to be a truly kind and caring person and the world is a darker place with her loss. Our prayers go out to her family and co-workers.

May God grant you His peace at this time,
Merry and Scott Theis

I was shocked and saddened to hear last week of the devastating loss of Ruth Anne from the lives of so many in our community and in her home community of Indiana. I had the privilege of meeting Ruth Anne when she took my Community Ed Kettlebell class this summer. While she humorously detailed her experience in her blog, she was a dedicated, hardworking student who did not shy from standing front and center for every class. She swung that kettlebell as well as she slung funny comments my way. However, the thing that struck me most about her was the support and encouragement that she and her friends offered to others in the class. She was truely a class act whose words and impressions have positively impacted those who she came into contact with.

Laurie Bushlack