Antolena Ruf

Antolena Ruf (nee Gartz), our mom, age 95, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, July 28, 2021 at the Meadows in Swift Current, SK.

Mom was born on July 20, 1926 to August & Olga Gartz in St. Boniface, MB.  In 1927, Mom moved with her parents and siblings to Prairie View, SK. Mom went to Sunday School and was confirmed at Peace Lutheran Church. Mom attended Turnhill School, Leonard School, and Luther College in Regina, SK.

Mom married William Ruf on November 12, 1950 at Peace Lutheran Church. They were actively involved in Peace Lutheran Church — mom taught Sunday School, Vacation Bible School, and sang in the church choir. Their marriage was blessed with three children — Rodger, Douglas, and Iris.  Mom was dad’s right-hand helper — milking cows year-round, hauling grain at harvest time, hauling bales, helping pull calves, raising chickens, and had a large garden with many tulips.

Mom always had an abundance of baking for any visitors — she was famous for her jam-jam cookies, baking, and decorating many birthday cakes. In mom’s spare time she loved to knit and crochet, even in her last few months, she did some knitting. Mom loved to play crokinole and a lot of board games, she also enjoyed watching the Rush Lake Red Sox (probably never missed a game) and the Toronto Blue Jays.

Mom was predeceased by her husband, William; her parents, August & Olga Gartz; her parents-in-law, David & Margaret Ruf; her siblings, Clara (Gus) Janke, Hulda (Pete) Gerbrandt, Olga (Alex) Heffley, Ruth (Rudy) Sowiak, and Rudolf Gartz; her brothers and sisters-in-law, Dave (Anne), Jake (June), Rose (Herman), Henry (Emma), Sam (Luelle), Adam (Vi), Herman (Joyce), and Karl; and by numerous nieces and nephews.

Mom is survived by her children, Rodger (Maureen), Douglas, and Iris (Brian) Sawyer; her grandchildren, Cheri (Travis) Heard and Ashley Sawyer (Brydon Campbell); her great-grandchildren, Logan and Brooklynn Heard; her sisters-in-law, Lorna Ruf and Kathy Gartz; and by numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

The Funeral Service for Antolena Ruf was held on Tuesday, August 3, 2021 at 2:00 pm from St. Olaf Lutheran Church, Swift Current, SK with Rev. Manfred Kurshner and Rev. Linda Hall officiating. “Shall We Gather at the River,” “Children of the Heavenly Father,” and “Where the Roses Never Fade” were sung by the congregation, with Arlie Neufeld serving as organist. The ushers in the church were Allen Fellinger and Jeff Ruff.

The Interment Service was held from Peace Lutheran Cemetery, Prairie View, SK with Steven Ruf, Wayne Heffley, Darwin Gartz, Todd Sowiak, Ross Reiner, and Craig Ruf serving as Pallbearers. Honorary Pall Bearers were Cheri Heard, Ashley Sawyer, Logan Heard, and Brooklynn Heard.

In memory of Antolena Ruf, donations made to Peace Lutheran Church Cemetery Fund would be appreciated by the family. 

To view the service, please click here.

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