MRS. RUTH STENBECK of Lethbridge, beloved wife of the late Earl Stenbeck, passed away peacefully on March 21, 2009 at the age of 86 years. Ruth was born, raised and educated in Lethbridge. She attended the Westminster School and graduated from LCI. After graduation Ruth worked as a chambermaid at the Prince of Wales and the Crandell Lodge in Waterton as well as the YMCA in Lethbridge. The War was on at this time, so for fun she worked as a hostess at dances, and met the love of her life, Earl. They were married November 16, 1942. Together they raised 8 children. Ruth valued her full-time commitment as a homemaker. Her hobbies included reading, singing, dancing, playing darts, and cooking and baking for her family. She was always trying new recipes and ordering new cookbooks. She loved to fish, and collected stones everywhere she traveled. Ruth came from a family of four generations of Salvationists (Salvation Army). Teen years, and being a Girl Guide, were fun times for Ruth. She developed a great sense of humour and a love for helping others. Ruth was a “social butterfly”. Entertaining, volunteering and making lasting friendships were some of her most rewarding experiences. Ruth is survived by her 3 daughters Sharone (Gord) Melvin and their children Greg (Sue) Melvin, (great-grandchildren Darby and Sydney), and Roxanne (Jon) Valgardson (great-grandchildren Gracee and Maisy); Heather (Ron) Clark and their children Erin (Chris) Nordquist (great-grandchild Ava) and Gail Clark; and Bev (Brian) Woodcock and their children Colin and Stephen Woodcock; 5 sons; Patrick (Audrey) Stenbeck and their children Scott (Christine) Stenbeck (great-grandchildren Mikhayla, Billy and Aryanna), Shalyn Stenbeck and Stacy (Jay) Helgeson (great-grandchildren Tyson and Jaxson); Ken (Linda) Stenbeck and their children Lori (Al VanderLinden) Stenbeck (great-grandchildren Tamara (Jim Orsten), Thomas, Nicholas, and Crystal), Dean (Tania) Stenbeck (great-grandchildren Joshua, Aaron, Kaitlin, and Maria), Teri (Eric) Dyck, and Chad (Jenn) Stenbeck (great-grandchildren Janaya and Caden); Dale (Linda) Stenbeck and their children Mandi (Ryan) Parker (great-grandchildren Gage and Owen), Shannon (Quintin Seitz) Stenbeck (great-grandchild on the way) and Tim Tyznenko; Doug Stenbeck and his daughter Anna Rae McLeod; and Bernie (Zora) Stenbeck; brother Gordon (Lynn) Lowe; sister-in-law Addy Lowe as well as numerous nieces, nephews and their families. Besides her husband Earl, Ruth was predeceased by her parents Eva and Harry Lowe; brother Harry Lowe; and her great-granddaughter Kayla Donaldson. A Visitation will be held from 7:00 to 9:00 pm on Wednesday, March 25, 2009 at MARTIN BROS. RIVERVIEW CHAPEL, 610 – 4th Street South Lethbridge. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 1:00 PM on Thursday, March 26, 2009 at RIVER OF LIFE COMMUNITY CHURCH, 2820 – 18 Avenue North, Lethbridge. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Michael’s Health Centre Foundation 1400 – 9th Avenue South, Lethbridge, AB T1J 4V5 or to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Alberta 207, 542 – 7th Street South, Lethbridge, AB T1J 2H1.

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