Obituary of Ruth Dolores Puffalt

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Ruth Dolores Puffalt was born in Regina on September 18, 1927, the eldest child of Elton and Helen (Simmons) Ford. She grew up on the family farm near Yellow Grass, SK.  At the age of twelve she made a commitment to serve God, which brought her peace for the rest of her life.  Upon completing her schooling at Yellow Grass, Ruth attended Normal School in Moose Jaw, after which she taught in country schools near Maxim, SK for two years, and then near Kipling, SK for one year. On October 14, 1949, she married Edwin Puffalt of Kipling, and in the years that followed, they raised their three sons on the family farm there.

Ruth and Edwin took up residence in their new home in Kipling in 1983 when their son Murray and his family moved to the farm, but they continued to take an active interest in the farm.  They treasured the opportunity to provide a quiet and welcoming atmosphere for those who came to their home for Sunday morning worship gatherings. Ruth had a large correspondence with friends and ministers throughout the world.  This brought her much encouragement and inspiration.

Following Edwin’s passing in April 2014, Ruth remained in their home until July 2015 when she moved to an apartment in Kipling. She enjoyed her time there, and her continuing contact with old friends and her interaction with new friends and neighbours even as her vision failed her.   She then suffered a stroke in February 2018 which left her physically limited, but she continued to take an interest in others. She spent a number of months in the Broadview Centennial Lodge, and then moved to the Integrated Health Centre in Kipling in August 2018, where she resided until the time of her passing.

Ruth is survived by her three sons: Don, Moncton, NB, Murray (Linda), Kipling, and Lorne (Marie), Regina; by six grandchildren: Corey (Patty-Jo), Calgary, AB, Kevin (Caroline), Kipling, Leanne (Nolan) McRae, St. Brieux, SK, Michelle (Jeff) Martinuk, Grenfell, SK, Shanelle and Rebecca Puffalt, Regina; and by twelve great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her sister Norma (Irvin) Cowan, Vegreville, AB; brothers-in-law Gordon (Ilona) Puffalt, and Roy Lonseth; sister-in-law Simone Puffalt; and many nieces, nephews, and dear friends. 

Ruth was predeceased by her husband Edwin in 2014; her father Elton Ford in 1966 and her mother Helen Ford in 1992; her brother Dale Ford, who was lovingly cared for by Ruth and Edwin in their home during the final weeks of his life until his passing in 1999; as well as by her father and mother-in-law Emil and Mary Puffalt, her brothers-in-law Albert (Rose) Puffalt, Victor Puffalt and Allan Alford, and sisters-in-law Martha (Stan) Thompson and Frances Lonseth.

Funeral Service will be held in the Langbank Community Center, Langbank, SK on Friday, October 30, 2020 at 2:00 p.m. Interment in Kipling Town Cemetery.  Physical distancing and the use of masks will be required.  To view the livestream of the service or to leave messages for the family, please visit her tribute page at www.speersfuneralchapel.com.    Flowers most gratefully declined.  Friends so wishing may make donations in Ruth’s memory, to the Kipling and District Music Festival, Box 120, Kipling, SK, S0G 2S0.