Vicki Ruiz

A memorial service for Vicki L. Ruiz will be at 10:00 am on Wednesday, April 2, 2008 at the Mt. Pisgah Cemetery Chapel in Gillette, Wyoming with Pastor Bill Morel of the Family Life Church officiating. Inurnment will follow at the cemetery next to her son, Michael. Upon her request a private cremation service has taken place.Vicki L. Ruiz, age 53 passed away on Saturday, March 22, 2008 at her home in Gillette of a heart attack.Vicki Lynne Ruiz was born on January 11, 1955 the daughter of Harold V. and Hattie ?Belle? (Gardner) Shipley in Gillette, Wyoming. Vicki was raised and educated her entire life in the Gillette area. She started to bartend at the Center Bar when she was seventeen. For awhile she did bartend at the Montgomery Bar but returned to the Center Bar where she was employed until the time of her death. For over thirty five years Vicki had worked in the bar industry, being the head bartender and the best friend to many that would frequent the bar. She loved to play trivia at the bar with the patrons and would often call her sister Betty to help her solve the question.Vicki would help anyone that needed an extra hand and would initiate many benefits for people that needed help. Her family and friends say she had the biggest heart for everyone she met. On November 10, 1975 Vicki married Manuel Ruiz in South Dakota. They later divorced. To Vicki family was a very important part of her life and she always tried to keep her family together. Recently she started to go on camping trips with her children. They would go fishing and camping at Keyhole and Vicki would love to catch the biggest Walleye. When not working, Vicki enjoyed to garage sale with her sister and driving her own car. She was known to her family as a good cook and would make many things that she would take to the bar for her friends to eat. Vicki was an avid Viking Football Fan and would enjoy watching the games at the bar.Vicki is survived by her son, Shane (Lynna) Shipley of Gillette, Wyoming, her daughter, Misti Ruiz of Sheridan, Wyoming, one brother Harold (Ruth) Shipley of Maryville, Tennessee, two sisters Betty (Frank) Mathisen of Gillette, Wyoming, Pat (Bruce) Brown of Vernal, Utah, ten grandchildren and numerous nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews and three great great nieces and nephews.She was preceded in death by her parents, one son, Michael Ruiz and one brother Bob Shipley.A memorial has been established in Vicki?s name and memorials may be made to the Ruiz Memorial Fund and can be sent in care of Walker Funeral Home, 410 Medical Arts Court, Gillette, Wyoming 82716 and condolences can be sent via the internet at www.walkerfuneralgillette.com.