Ricki Lee (Benedict) Ward 1955 - 2018

BENEDICT, WARD, BUKOVIC

Posted By: Connie Swearingen -Volunteer (email)
Date: 4/18/2018 at 07:12:52

Sioux City Journal
14 January 2018

Sioux City

Ricki Lee (Benedict) Ward, 67, of Sioux City, passed away Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2018 at her home due to complications with her health.

Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, Jan. 15 at Meyer Brothers Colonial Chapel with Reverend Merrill Muller officiating. Visitation will be Sunday, Jan. 14 from 4-8 p.m. with the family present from 6-8 p.m. at the funeral home. Online condolences may be given online at www.meyerbroschapels.com.

Ricki was born April 6, 1955 in Chicago to Marlene (Bukovic) Jacobs and Richard Benedict. She resided in Chicago until her seventh grade year when the family moved to South Sioux City and then moved to Sioux City, which became her permanent home. She attended Central High School.

On June 22, 1974 she married John A. Ward Jr. at Sacred Heart Church in Sioux City. From this union, a daughter and son were born.

Ricki held many positions over her lifetime, but the heart of her career was working with drivers from two local trucking companies, first with Hirschbach and then with Heyl. She worked breakdown and enjoyed helping the drivers and visiting with them often.

Whether she was singing or dancing, music was what she loved. She also enjoyed traveling, ceramics, taking pictures, party planning for family and close friends, spoiling all her “kids,” and cheering on her favorite stock car driver.

Survivors include her husband of 43 years, John; daughter, DeAnna (Daryl) Brunson; son, Jason (Jodi) Ward; six grandchildren, James Ward, Jasalyn Ward, Jacob Ward, Kate Lynn Brunson, Madison Brunson and Jonathan Ward, all of Sioux City; mother, Marlene Jacobs of Glidden, Iowa; two sisters, Jacki (James) Kajewski of Sioux City and Bonnie (Mike) Wolterman of Glidden; mother in law, Lois Ward of Sioux City; two sisters in law, Sheryle (Rick) Allen of Sioux City and Kathi (Don) Luebben of Moncks Corner, S.C.; step siblings; nieces; nephews; aunts; uncles and many cousins.

Ricki was preceded in death by her maternal and paternal grandparents; father; stepfather, Jack Jacobs Sr. and father in law, John A. Ward Sr.