Sadie RUECKERT

1932 - 2025

Sadie Rueckert (93), a long-term resident of Spokane Valley, WA, passed away March 9, 2025, at Valley General Hospital. Sadie was born on January 25, 1932, in Butte, MT, and is the daughter of the late Eli and Martha Chalich. She moved to Veradale, WA, when she was seven years old and grew up in the Spokane Valley working on the family's fruit orchard. She attended Central Valley High School, where she was a talented female athlete and majorette until her graduation in 1950. Following her graduation, she met Clem Rueckert, and they were married in 1951 until Clem's death in 2008.

Sadie started her career in the early 1950's as a trailblazer in the insurance sector, beginning in administration locally and progressing upwards for 30+ years, before retiring as a Commercial Underwriter with a global firm. She was a sports fan and a devoted supporter of the University of Washington with attendance at Husky football games with her son, Dan, until her late 80s. She was active in Spokane Valley bowling leagues and took up golf later in life, playing at all Spokane courses and many in the Pacific Northwest. Sadie also enjoyed travel throughout North America, Australia, and Europe with Clem.

She is survived by daughter, Cynthia Van Orman (Lane) of Spokane Valley; son, Daniel (Roxanne) Rueckert of Sherwood, OR; grandchildren, Jennifer Van Orman, Jeremy (Amory) Van Orman-Ballantine, Jessica (Lucas) Erdman, Katherine Rueckert, and Billeigh Van Orman; great-grandchildren, Clementine Van Orman-Ballantine, Holden Erdman, and Nova Erdman; brothers, Ray Chalich and Stan (Leslie) Chalich; and brother-in-law, Roger (Ellen) Rueckert; along with numerous cousins, nephews, and nieces.

Preceded in death by her parents; brothers, George (Jeri) Chalich, Eli Chalich, Nick (Lois) Chalich; and sister, Dorothy Burns.

The funeral service will be held at 1 p.m., on Saturday, March 15, 2025, at Fairmount Memorial Park (Sunset Chapel), Spokane, WA, with burial immediately following the service. A Celebration of Life following the funeral will be held at Darcy's Restaurant, 10512 Sprague Avenue, Spokane Valley, WA, starting at 4 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the St. John Vianney Catholic School or the Hutton Settlement Children's Home, both located in the Spokane Valley.

Please share your memories of Sadie on her tribute wall at www.HennesseyValley.com.