Helen Ruth Fredrickson

Helen Ruth Fredrickson, 91, of Paxton, passed away on Friday, June 16, 2023, at Carle Foundation Hospital, Urbana, after a short illness. She was surrounded by all her children and several other family members as she peacefully left this life to go to her heavenly forever home. Ruth was born November 24, 1931, in Loda, IL, the daughter of Ray and Margaret Cleary. She married John Mikalik Sr., on October 23, 1949, and he preceded her in death on March 1, 2020; they had seven children. She married Clarence Stanton (Stan) Fredrickson, her high school boyfriend, in 1986; he preceded her in death on January 14, 2017. Ruth is survived by her loving family; John (Linda) Mikalik, Gloria (Gene) Pittman, Phillip (Teresa) Mikalik, Dianna Mikalik, Martha (Rick) Gentes, Frederic (Sherri) Mikalik, Todd Mikalik, David (Sherri) Fredrickson; 17 grandchildren; 33 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren. Ruth was preceded in death by her parents, two brothers, four sisters, and just recently by her stepdaughter, Teri Hancock of Paxton. Ruth graduated from Rankin High School in 1949 and has held many jobs during her career while also raising seven children who were very active in sports and school activities. She was the best waitress at her parent’s Main Café Restaurant along with some of her sisters. She was a co-owner and operator of J & R Food Market in Rankin, she worked as a secretary, read water meters for the city and was a school bus driver for the Rantoul Air Force Base. She got her children involved in delivering the local newspaper, even delivering them herself when needed. She was a pillar of the community and served on many organizations. Returning to her passion for waitressing and serving others, she worked at Ott's in Rantoul, where she was a valued employee for over 23 years, finally retiring at age 85 on June 24, 2016. She was a member of St. Malachy Catholic Church in Rantoul and a faithful servant of God. Her family is her legacy and was the center of her life. She “loved big” and made a personal connection with everyone she knew. She was the best daughter, wife, mother, aunt, sister, friend, grandmother, great-grandmother, and great-great-grandmother one could ask for, and she was cherished by all who knew her. She took time for her friends, strangers, and anyone who wanted to visit or needed encouragement; she was there to help and was like a "second mother" to many. Per Ruth’s wishes, cremation rites have been accorded. A visitation will be held on Thursday, June 29, 2023, from 10:00 am until the 1:00 pm memorial service at Cox-Knapp Funeral Home in Paxton. A burial will follow at Glen Cemetery in Paxton. Services will be officiated by Pastor Randy Downing. Memorials may be made to the Rankin Lions Club or Rantoul Knights of Columbus.

Helen Ruth Fredrickson

November 24, 1931 - June 16, 2023