Colonial
Springs
Reflections
Volume 29, Issue 12
December 2018
Colonial Springs Healthcare Center is an affiliate of CMH, Bolivar, Mo., 417-326-6000
Facility Location: 750 West Cooper, Buffalo, MO 65622, 417-345-2228
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
Resident Spotlight 1
Facebook 1
Resident Pictures 2
Upcoming Activities 2
Calendar of Events 3
Resident Birthdays 4
New Residents 4
“Like” us on
Facebook!
Colonial Springs has
a Facebook page!
“Like” us to keep up
with all the latest
activities and events
at Colonial Springs
Look for the icon
pictured below and
don’t forget to click
“Like.”
R ES ID ENT SPOT L IG HT
M A RY S UE RUC K ER
Mary Sue Rucker was born July 29,
1937, in Laclede County to Freeman
and Oma Slavens. Mary was the sec-
ond to last child, having two brothers
and two sisters.
Mary grew up on a farm in the Celt
area and received her education at
Tunas and Macks Creek schools.
“I remember helping my grandpa
when I got home from school. He
would cut wood and I would help carry
the wood to the house to put in our
cook stove. Then I would go to the
spring and carry a gallon of water to
the house,” said Mary. “Life was tough
back then, but I had a good home life. I
was raised in a Christian home and we
were a happy family.”
Mary was raised in a musical family.
When she was a small child, her father
would play his guitar and the kids
taught themselves as they played
along with him. Mary also enjoys
singing gospel songs. Still today, she
joins in with the Agape group and helps
them entertain our residents.
Mary married Estel “Pete”
Rucker in 1954. The couple celebrated
their 64th wedding anniversary this
past July. They grew up as neighbors
and eventually became more than just
friends. They have two children, Vicky
Hilbrenner and Monte Rucker, two
grandchildren and one great
grandchild.
The Rucker’s raised their family on
a 40 acre farm on Mill Creek. They
milked cows for awhile but eventually
became cattle farmers. The couple
both became bus drivers for the
Tunas and Skyline schools. Mary re-
tired after 25 years of driving a bus. “I
told the kids that if they sit up straight
and act their age, with no lovey dovey
stuff, then things would be all right. I
had a good bunch of kids and they
never gave me any problems,” said
Mary.
She also enjoyed sewing clothes
and baby sitting the neighbors kids.
“I made my kids all their clothes. I
guess I did a good job because other
families asked me to make clothes
for them as well,” said Mary.
Mary came to Colonial Springs a
few months ago. If you are ever look-
ing for her, she can be found by the
piano singing gospel songs with other
ladies and gentlemen. Thank you
Mary for allowing us to get to know
you better.
Are you a caring individual who would like to assist in caring for the elderly?
Colonial Springs Healthcare Center has opportunities in its volunteer and nursing
program. For more information call Jackie Piercy, administrator, at 417-345-2228.