In Memory Of

Jeanne Ruhl

Aug 25, 1941 - Jun 9, 2026

Service

Saturday, June 20, 2026
1:00 pm
Jesuit Martyrs Catholic Church, 40080 Township Road 380, Stauffer, Alberta T0M 1W0.

A luncheon and time of fellowship will follow at the Eckville Legion, 5027–51 Street, Eckville, Alberta.

Interment

Evergreen Cemetery

Obituary

In Loving Memory of Jeanne Ruhl
August 25, 1941 – June 9, 2026

Jeanne Ruhl passed away peacefully on June 9, 2026, at her home in Central Alberta, surrounded by the care of her daughters. Born August 25, 1941, in Edmonton, Alberta, she will be remembered for her kindness, faith, generosity, and love.

Jeanne was predeceased by her beloved husband, Robert "Bob" Ruhl. She is survived by her children: Sandra Wells, Mark Ruhl, Michele Byrt, Roberta White, and Carman Ruhl.

Family was Jeanne’s greatest joy. She was a proud grandmother to 12 grandchildren and great-grandmother to 26 great-grandchildren. Her home was always filled with warmth, laughter, and welcome.

Her Christian faith guided her life and inspired her compassion, service, and care for others. She will be remembered for her loving heart, gentle spirit, and beautiful smile.

Though deeply missed, Jeanne leaves a lasting legacy through her family, friendships, and faith.

A Funeral Service will be held on Saturday, June 20, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. at Jesuit Martyrs Catholic Church, 40080 Township Road 380, Stauffer, Alberta T0M 1W0.

A luncheon and time of fellowship will follow at the Eckville Legion, 5027–51 Street, Eckville, Alberta.

Jeanne's family thanks everyone for their love, prayers, and support during this difficult time. She will be forever remembered.

EULOGY

Hi I am so overwhelmed to be standing here in front of my mother’s family and friends. Her eulogy has been hard for me so please bear with me. I have my sister Roberta standing beside me for support.
This beautiful soul I am about to talk about was given to us to share for 84 years.
Mom was born in 1941 on the banana belt, for people who don’t know, that was by Lashburn Saskatchwan. She had three sisters waiting for her Gladys 9 Margaret 6 and Ruby was 5, they would tell the story of when Auntie Margaret dropped her when she was 4-month-old, it took some time to find her, she had rolled under the ringer washer, all the girls had a great laugh about this, many times. When she was three her dad added a granary to their three-room house for a bedroom for the four girls. She talked about the outhouse they had on the farm where sometimes they used a sears catalog to clean things up.
When I asked her about her favorite memories as a child, she recalled her mother calling her, “Jeannie come outside the chickadees are calling you,” and they did, singing Jea-nie, Jea-nie.
When she was finally went to school she was excited to do so, she had watched her sisters leave for school for so many years, there was such great anticipation. She was promoted from Grade 1 to grade 3 and graduated at 16. During those years they would cross country ski the approximately two miles to school, her sisters would have to wait for her, they took turns at the fence.
She wanted to be teacher or stewardess It makes sense because she taught us, to love adventure. They moved to Rutland when she was in grade 6 and at 12 years old, she was hit by a car while riding her bike and broke her back, was in a brace for months. This may be where she learnt to handle adversities with grace.
They moved to Lloydminster in her 8th grade and in her teens, she saw an athlete at school that she couldn’t keep her eyes off of. I think that’s why she became a cheerleader. they fell in love.
Their love for music and jiving was their favorite pastime She played the piano and organ and taught us how to jive too of course. Yes, she brought the music. Thank-you for the music.
Mom married dad at the age of 19, They resided in Saskatoon where they had their first babies Sandy and Mark.
Shortly after Mark was born, she lost her mom, at the age of 21. She had missed her mom for 64 years; I can find strength to endure my short time until we meet again.
They then moved to Red Deer where they had two more children myself and Roberta. Red Deer was tough with four kids, dad worked long hours providing. When he got the oil bug, he moved us all to Lloydminster. Imagine mom on a train with four kids and suitcases she had the willingness like no other. They bought an acreage outside of Lloyd where Dallon, my son, her grandson is fortunate enough to have acquired. Bringing back memories for all of us. Mom had a chance to be there and walk those grounds again.
We left there because Dad bought some fly in fishing lodges up in Yellowknife and with her adventurous soul she followed him, everywhere, never knowing what was around the corner, Mom was excited about the lodges. She loved fishing, wildlife, the Northern Lights and all the opportunities for her there. Making great friends. Mom worked for The Northwest Territories Government in manpower and immigration.
The oil in Dad’s blood brought them back once again to Lloydminster. They built an acreage not far from their first home. This is where she nurtured, worried, and comforted 4 teenagers with patience and flexibility. We were quite lucky she was so spontaneous. Mom’s words of advice were “it’s not what you wear it’s how you wear it”. She was known for how she wore hats, a woman of all traits. Mom wore them well, as often as she could.
She had opened a nursery school called Happy Days she found it fun and gratifying. She also worked at the complaints department temporarily a few times, she had the skills for that being she had to handle four children all one year apart.
Whoops at 40 she surprised herself along with many others, another baby Carmen. So with her young heart Carman was raised with her grandchild right alongside of her. There were 11 of them and 20 great grandchildren. She had the ability to turn a roomful of rambunctious kids into a loving and peaceful place Teaching kids how to love and appreciate everything around them Taking them to the woods or sitting them on her knee telling them about the Chickadees calling her name. She shared pieces of her, the beautiful way she viewed life.
They had a short stint in Kitscotty where they planned another acreage, this one for retirement. During this time, her and I live quite close. Giving us more time to enjoy bingo at the fair, camping at sandy beach, lots of cards, chasing storms and fire trucks.
Then they built their retirement home at the age of 60 Believing that digging in would keep you young and tough. She loved being in the country, surrounded by her birds, lots of chickadees! The mountain view. sunrises and sunsets, the wildlife, as she put it the wildlife tiptoeing through the yard, she loved drinking in the beauty of nature, the light of the full moons and starlit skies. Time was not of the essence here
She had already traveled quite extensively through the years to Europe taking in Bethlehem, Lordes, the Holy land also Mexico and Hawaii, a cruise and many visits with her sisters. Hunting, fishing and camping adventures were her best travels Hunting being her favorite, because they were in the mountains, in the raw wilderness. The hunting never ceased.
The last of her days were, Roberta and I tending to her needs, with the help of great medical support. We had that privilege. She saw her sunsets, heard her birds had the moon out her bedroom doors, accepting her fate with grace she would still ask me, “ what are you thinking”.
She loves from her heart it was always genuine for everyone. Her spunk and spirit matched
We all have our stories with her
The Daisies you see here were her favorite flower. I don’t know if she knew that they represent, Innocence, humility and faith, In Christian tradition. It reflects a childlike trust in God’s daily provisions a pure , trusting, worry free faith. The white petals represent a clean heart and forgiveness. The Daisy turns its face to the sun and mirrors a lesson where Jesus points out the beauty of the wildflowers and nature to remind believers to trust in God’s daily care rather than give in to worry. Unlike towering plants daisies or humble approachable and grow abundantly in the wild with its virtues of modesty and humbleness of heart
Her favorite season was spring New life. That she will have now.

Condolences

Marianne Nicholson:

I’m very sorry to hear this sad news! We were going to have coffee and catch up! Until we meet again my special friend! Jean will be missed! Condolences to the families. I know how much she appreciated and loved you all!

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