RIDDELL – The family of Vivian Ruth Riddell (Christianson) are sad to announce her passing on February 8, 2018 due to severe lung disease.
Ruth was born on February 22, 1945 in Bassano. She was raised and had her early schooling in North Gem/Range Coulee. She then went to high school in Calgary. After starting a family, she returned to Calgary to go to nursing school to get her LPN.
She loved caring for people and she worked as an LPN in many places, but her favorite place was the auxiliary hospital in Brooks. She often talked about her old people and how wonderful they were.
Ruth married Bill Sturm and had three children – Terri, Traci and Jamie. She then married Jeff Riddell and they had Jody. Ruth and Jeff would have been married 40 years.
She adored her father and from him she inherited his love of horses. Even later in life, she always had to have a horse around.
She loved her family especially all our sweet little boys.
Ruth faced many challenges in her life and she always came out whipping and spurring. Which in Ruth speak meant just trying as hard as you can. She taught her children and grandchildren that if you have “try” it will take you far in life.
We hope she will be remember for her kindness, her laugh and her racy stories. And of course the red boots, ever present lipstick and White Diamonds.
She will be happy to know that the Nugget Mine was still intact in her car.
I hope you are sitting on the Malecon visiting with strangers … Like always.
A celebration of life will be held at the Gem Hall in Gem, AB on Saturday April 28 at 3 pm. The family will be creating a memorial garden for Ruth out at the farm when the weather allows and if you would like to bring a plant to include in the garden that would be very appreciated.
