Ruth Marion Holmstrom
June 28, 2020
Memorial Donation
Ruth was born July 3rd, 1929, in Inwood, Manitoba. She was raised on the farm with her parents Frank & Mildred House, 2 brothers Frank & Ken & 1 sister Lillian.
She went to a small country school but she was lucky enough she didn’t have to walk to school each day as her Dad drove the school bus.
When she finished school, she moved to Winnipeg and started working at Eaton’s, she was there for 7 years. She was so petite that everyone called her “Tiny” and that became her nickname.
Soon a young man came a courting, “Helge Holmstrom” he worked for CPR Signals in Winnipeg. They started spending lots of time together at the country dances & even started playing music at them with Ruth on piano & Helge on Guitar.
They were married Sept 27, 1952. They lived in Winnipeg when they were first married, then they moved to Teulon, Man in 1957, then down the road to Balmoral in 1963 to the farm. Dad worked in Winnipeg at Canada Metal as well as farming. He was a man of many self-taught trades, a mechanic & also had many welding skills.
They were blessed with 4 children, Gary, Wendy, Sherry & Kelly. While living on the farm they were also foster parents to many children. Those were the fun days growing up on the farm with lots of hard work, But Sundays were family time, with Church, Sunday School and then usually lots of company. All the cousins & neighbours would come over and we’d have a ballgame, wiener roast, hide & seek and in the winter time Dad would get the horse & cutter hooked up for sleigh rides.
Farm life was busy with lots of hard work with grain farming, as well as cattle, pigs, chickens & a huge garden. And there was no complaining or misbehaving or…….you know how the song goes….out behind the barn???
In 1968, fire destroyed our barn and animals so Mom and Dad packed up the family and moved to Wawota, Sask. They built the Wawota Esso Station & Café with Mom’s Brother Frank. Dad was the mechanic & Mom ran the Restaurant with homemade meals, perogies, pies etc. that Mom would make herself. No fast food in those days.
In 1979, they sold the business, but they forgot, they were supposed to retire? Dad worked on his welding, making railings, steps & signs and Mom became a full-time babysitter. There are a lot of young adults in Wawota that still call her “Grandma Ruth”. Mom & Dad had their regular coffee routine with friends at the Village Inn where all the world problems would get solved & there was always a few tricks in the midst as well. Mom always loved playing bingo & would always come home with some winnings. They did love to travel and went on trips out west, down to the states, Phoenix, Las Vegas, California and over to Europe.
After Dad passed away in 2008 Mom moved into the Low Rentals in Wawota for a few years. She loved her new place which she made home for 9 years & enjoyed time with friends & playing cards.
She loved getting visits from her 3 children, 9 grandchildren & 20 great grandchildren, that was always the highlights of her days, some of the grandkids & great grandkids nicknamed her “Little Grandma” She loved being able to go for walks, watch ball or soccer games or just go to the playground with them & then ice cream to finish the day.
She spent many hours at the rink watching some of the great grandkids play hockey & figure skating carnivals as well. Family was everything to Mom & she always loved when we could all get together to celebrate a Birthday, Christmas or just to go out for coffee or a meal. She loved to go shopping, which became our annual Mother’s Day tradition, we would always get her to model for us which always ended up in the giggles. Then of course we would have supper out with a glass of wine & coffee for the road home. Mom loved her coffee.
In August 2017, Mom made the move to Maryfield Sunrise Villa which was the perfect place for her, she had great times there with lots of friends to play cards, have coffee & visit with every day. She had 2 wonderful years there.
In July 2019, she celebrated her 90th birthday with all her family. She loved a party, Cheers to 90 years Mom.
In August 2019, Mom’s eye sight was getting worse & it made it difficult for her & extra care was needed. She made the move to the Wawota Care Home to be closer to family to visit with her everyday.
Mom always loved to have the little ones (the great grandkids) around to tell her stories, bring her pictures, have a ride on her walker & of course she would always have a special treat tucked away in the drawer for them when they would visit.
Mom loved music & would enjoy going to listen to her daughters sing with the Hints of Harmony & her grandkids in their school & music concerts too.
Mom enjoyed life to the fullest & we are blessed to have spent 91 years with her & make so many memories.
WE LOVE YOU, MOM, FOREVER & ALWAYS. WITH THE SPARKLE IN YOUR EYES & YOUR BIG SMILE
YOU WILL BE REMEMBERED ALWAYS FOR YOUR LOVE & KINDNESS.
WE WILL TREASURE ALL THE MEMORIES WE HAVE MADE.
REST IN PEACE
June 28 2020
Nos plus sincères sympathies à la famille et aux amis de Ruth Marion Holmstrom June 28 2020..
Décès pour la Ville: Virden, Province: Manitoba