Ruth Ann Fromi
November 19, 1946 – April 17, 2025
Ruth Ann Fromi was the first daughter born to Julius and Helen Wieczorek on November 19, 1946. She was raised in “South” Omaha, Nebraska, and attended St. Stanislaus Catholic Grade School from 1st– 8th grade; she graduated from Archbishop Ryan High School in 1964. She attended the University of Nebraska at Omaha where she graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Education with a major in Elementary Education in 1968. While at UNO she was an active member of the Zeta Tau Alpha (ZTA) Sorority and has remained close friends with many of her ZTA sisters throughout her life. In 1976, Ruth received her Master of Science in Special Education and Reading. In 2004, she received her Master’s Degree Plus 30 Graduate Hours Certificate while working for Omaha Public Schools.
During her time at UNO, she was also a student teacher at Beals Elementary and Oakdale Elementary. Her first teaching job after college was 4th Grade at Train School in 1968. After that, she taught 6th Grade at Indian Hills.
On December 22, 1968, Ruth met Michael W. Howard and they married at St. Stanislaus Catholic Church on June 12, 1970. They had three children, Kristi, Jeff, and Jason. Michael worked for OPPD as a linesman, but desired to be a professional photographer. They started their own photography business and as it grew, they built a home in 1979 off 117th and Pacific Street that would accommodate the business operating out of the lower level. Their family became members of St. Robert Bellarmine Catholic Church and all their children attended grade school there. Ruth eventually quit teaching to work full-time in the studio doing photo retouching by hand and managing the day-to-day activities of the business. The marriage ended in divorce in 1991 and was ultimately annulled.
After her divorce, Ruth maintained the business for a few years. She also took jobs telemarketing for Hyatt Hotels and eventually returned to teaching and working as a reading specialist. She was able to retire from Omaha Pubic Schools in 2008. In retirement, she enjoyed getting together regularly with other retired teachers for lunch.
Ruth met Frederick “Fred” Fromi on “eharmony” and their first date was at Lazlo’s in West Omaha during a blizzard. A few months after their first date, they decided to marry in Las Vegas, Nevada, on April 16, 2011. One year later, Fred officially became a member of the Catholic Church and they were able to be married at St. Robert Bellarmine on April 7, 2012. Fred and Ruth loved to travel together and went on annual trips to Hawaii and they explored many countries in Europe. Fred managed to make Ruth an Iowa Hawkeyes fan and they enjoyed attending football games together. In 2014, they built a second home in Venice, Florida, to relax and escape the Nebraska winters. They attended Mass in Venice at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church. Fred passed away on February 5, 2015, at the age of 67. Although their time together was short, it was a relationship full of love, adoration and fun adventures.
Ruth sold their Venice home in 2021, but loved the area so much that she eventually built a new home that was completed in 2023. She made some wonderful friends in Venice that she enjoyed shopping and dining out with. Even during her illness, she kept in constant contact with them.
Ruth was preceded in death by her husband, Fred; father, Julius; and mother, Helen.
Ruth is survived by her daughter, Kristi Niemann (Dr. Douglas) of Omaha, Nebraska, son, Jeffrey Howard (Kwang) of Lincoln, Nebraska, son, Jason Howard (Dr. Erin Kearns, PhD) of Omaha, Nebraska, stepson, Jason Fromi of St. Petersburg, Florida, and stepdaughter, Tracey Fricke (Chris) of Council Bluffs, Iowa. Also surviving are her sisters, Rita (Dr. James) McClurken of Fort Washington, Pennsylvania, and Judy Wieczorek of Omaha, Nebraska. Surviving grandchildren are Andrew, Grant and Chase Niemann along with her step-grandchildren. Nieces and nephews surviving are James J. McClurken of New York, New York, Maggie McClurken (Corey Ditman) of New York, New York and Matthew (Laura) McClurken of Doylestown, Pennsylvania.
On Holy Thursday morning, April 17, 2025, at 78 years old, after a courageous battle, Ruth succumbed to her illness and entered into eternal life.
In lieu of flowers, Memorials are suggested to St. Robert Bellarmine Catholic Church or Essential Pregnancy Services.
VIGIL SERVICE: Tuesday, April 22, 2025, 7:00PM, with VISITATION from 5:00-7:00PM at West Center Chapel, 7805 West Center Road, Omaha, 68124.
MASS OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL: Wednesday, April 23rd at 10:30AM, St. Robert Bellarmine Catholic Church, 11802 Pacific Street, Omaha, 68154.
Private Entombment: Resurrection Mausoleum.
To view a live broadcast of Services, please visit www.heafeyheafey.com and click on the “Live Cast” button at the top of the home page.
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Heafey-Hoffmann-Dworak-Cutler
West Center Chapel, 7805 West Center Road, Omaha, Ne 68124. (402)-391-3900. www.heafeyheafey.com
8 Comments
It is with great sadness that I wish to share with all of Ruth’s family and friends my sincerest condolences. As is said in John 1126 “I am the resurrection and the life, the one who believes in me will live even though they die.” Ruth was a dear Mother to me for many years, always supportive of me and always praying for my well-being. My life will be forever be changed by her love and memory. Stepson – Jason
Our sincere condolences to the family and friends. We will greatly miss our dear friend. Memories of our good time together will last for ever. May she Rest In Peace
Rest in peace, Ruth.
You were such a gentle caring person Ruth.
It was so nice to celebrate your 78th birthday with several other ladies from Gran Paradiso in that nice little taco restaurant.
My most sincere condolences to all of her family🙏
My dear friend Ruth. We met teaching at Train School in 1970. I was newly married in New Jersey and with my husband stationed at Offutt Air Base a move for us to Omaha was our new life. Over these years, we’ve shared the births of our children, and I was at Kristi’s wedding. So many trips and get togethers for us. I moved back to Maryland but that didn’t stop us from vacations in Branson, Phoenix, Washington DC and lots of Omaha times. Our friendship became a huge part of my life. I will miss you.
Please accept my heartfelt sympathy to all the family at this sad time, sending you all healing prayers comfort, what a beautiful soul.
Ruth, we will all miss your cheerful smile, your positive outlook on life and our precious conversations. May your soul and all the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace, Amen. May the love of God and the peace of the Lord Jesus Christ bless and console us all in the name of the father and the son and the Holy Spirit, Amen 🙏
I send my condolences to all of Ruth‘s family. Ruth and I started together teaching a train school in Omaha. We continued our relationship and friendship over 50+ years. We saw each other often over the years as we would meet at O’Hare, or in Scottsdale or in Branson Missouri.,Or in Omaha. Shared many yearly Christmas messages with news of family and our individual whereabouts. I have pictures on my phone of Ruth and Darlene at lunch. She was a good friend of faith. I will miss her right now. I grieve her loss, but I know she is with The Lord. Resting in his eternal peace. Love you, Ruth.
I have never met Ruth in person, but she was one of the nicest person I have ever talked to. Ruth read a story in PEOPLE Magazine about my son Jaiden. She started making donations to our GoFundMe page every month. She sent me emails about a lot of different things, and we soon became close friends. The last time I talked to her, she said she now had to fight for her life. Jaiden and I cried and cried. I had tried to contact her many times after that, and I knew things couldn’t be good, because she was always one who would answer. I Jaiden and I will always remember her. Ruth we love you! May you RIP
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