Ruth Zapalac , 90, Carpio, died Thursday, October 6, 2016 in her home.

Ruth Marie Fleischmann was born June 24, 1926 in Czechoslovakia to Franz and Marie (Felber) Fleischmann. She grew up during WWII and in April 1946 was married to Petr Zapalac in Czechoslovakia.

Ruth and her husband fled Czechoslovakia with two small children after the war and took refuge in Germany and France, finally arriving in Sherbrooke, Quebec Canada as refugees. It was there that her husband was killed in a mining accident in 1955, leaving her with sons all under 8 years of age. With the help of the local Czech community, she moved to Ontario Canada in 1956. She endured, and raised her now five sons in Ontario until 1964 when they moved to California.

She lived in California for some years and worked in various hospitals as a nurse\'s aide. She was a people person, and caring for others was a rewarding career for her.

She met John Treshansky in 1968, and the couple moved to Carpio in 1970 with her youngest son Michael.

Ruth spoke 5 languages and was extremely entertaining in group settings. However, one of her shortcomings was that she couldn\'t always remember names, and she had a habit of calling everyone ---THING - which would always bring a laugh. She loved to tell stories of her life and travels and knew how to keep her audience entertained. She had learned to play the accordion at an early age and livened up many family parties with her old Hohner accordion. She didn\'t have an easy life but never complained about that aspect. She wasn't materialistic and led a modest life--- filled with lots of laughs and good friends. Her children and grandkids were always in her phone calls. These are the things she valued most. She loved her community in North Dakota and often spoke of the many friends who had cared for her and helped in so many ways. She was barely 5 feet, but feisty. Hard to believe she could be intimidating but she knew how to stand her ground.

Ruth recently celebrated her 90th birthday with a special party and loved having everyone make such a fuss over her. It made her very happy, and thanks to everyone who helped make her day so memorable. She will be fondly remembered by friends, and most certainly she will always be remembered as an example to her family on how to live a good life with what you have.

Ruth is survived by 3 sons, Peter (Brenda) Zapalac, Arizona, John (Minerva) Zapalac, California and Boris Zapalac, Ontario Canada; partner, John Treshansky, Carpio ND; 14 grandchildren and 25 great grandchildren.

Ruth was preceded in death by her parents, husband Petr, and sons, Paul and Michael.

Memorial service : 11:00 a.m. Saturday, November 5, 2016 at the Carpio Lutheran Church, Carpio, ND
Memorials are preferred to Trinity Hospice Foundation.