Dear Readers:

We at the Savage Pacer can't begin to thank you for the notes and words of kindness we've received regarding the tragic death of our dear friend and colleague, Ruth Anne Maddox. We are devastated by her loss, and your outpouring of sympathy helps us cope and makes us realize how special Ruth Anne was to her readers and friends and acquaintences.

We plan to pass these notes on to her family, particularily her 19-year-old daughter back in Ruth Anne's native Indiana. We want family members to know how much Ruth Anne meant to so many.

Ruth Anne, who lived in Prior Lake, worked for Southwest Newspapers about 4½ years, as a reporter for the Savage Pacer and more recently the Shakopee Valley News. Her stories occasionally still appeared in the Pacer.

We invite you to share your thoughts at the end of this note. It can be a simple condolence, or a story about Ruth Anne. If you aren't already a registered user of this Web site, you'll Savage Pacer Editor Nancy Huddleston at editor@savagepacer.com If you want your words to remain private, just let us know.

Again, thank you for helping us get through this. And please remember Ruth Anne and her family in your prayers.

In keeping with her sense of humor, Ruth Anne wore her "princess" tierra to the Shakopee Derby Days parade this summer. She helped pass out candy along the route.