Ruth Anne (Lipka) Maddox, 45, of Prior Lake, died Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2008 in her residence.Ruth Anne Maddox

She was born Aug. 20, 1963 in Chicago Heights, Ill., to Paul and Lois (Whitehead) Lipka, who survive in Lake Placid, Fla. She was previously married to Mark Long, who survives.

She graduated from Morton Senior High School, Hammond, Ind. in 1981, and Louisiana Tech in 1986. She worked for the Savage Pacer and Shakopee Valley News for four and a half years and formerly worked at the Times-Union from April 1, 1987 to July 8, 2003.

She loved to travel, play Scrabble, read, walk her dog and spend time with her family. The family agrees with her famous quote, “I’m delightful and everybody loves me.” She loved listening to music, going out to dinner and was a great, mother, daughter, sister, aunt and friend.

Also surviving are a daughter, Kelsey Long, Warsaw, Ind.; a brother, John Lipka, Bastrop, La.; two sisters, Karen (and spouse Bill) Whitaker, Middlebury, and Amy Cobb, Highland; two nephews, Stephen Cobb, Great Lakes Naval Base, and Robert Whitaker, Middlebury; two nieces, Elisha Cobb, Highland, and Kayla Whitaker, Middlebury; two dogs, Roxxi and Quincy; and her cat, Skeeter.

Services will be at 6 p.m. EST Monday at McHatton-Sadler Funeral Chapel, Warsaw. There was cremation. Calling is from 4 to 6 p.m. EST Monday at the funeral home.

Condolences may be sent to mchattonsadlerfuneralchapels.com.