Ruth (Brown) Etsell

Ruth Etsell
February 4, 1934 – April 24, 2024

Ruth passed away on April 24 in the Heritage Manor in Kindersley after battling cancer for the past few months.
Born on February 4, 1934, on her parents' farm near Estuary to Fred and Martha Brown. She was the seventh child and third daughter among fifteen siblings. 
Ruth attended school near Estuary until grade six when the family moved to the Coleville area. She completed grade eight and then helped her parents on the farm cooking and cleaning for the family.
Ruth left home at age eighteen and began working as a nurse’s aide at the Kindersley Hospital after some jobs cleaning homes. Shortly after this, she met Gordon Etsell and they were married on November 3, 1954.  Barry was born July 15, 1956, and Elaine was born April 19, 1958. They began building their home on the farm in 1958 but did not move in until late 1959. 
Gordon and Ruth lived on the farm for many years. During this time she was busy with family, farming, her garden, the Beaufield Ladies Club, and Square dancing.  The small home would be the location of many family gatherings that at times was filled with more than 40 people. Gordon passed away on July 1, 2005, and Ruth moved from the farm to Kindersley in 2006.
Ruth was someone who found happiness in the little things in life. Walking around the neighborhood, pausing to chat with neighbors, or stopping in for a cup of coffee were some of her favorite pastimes. Above all, she loved spending time with people and was an active member of the Red Hatters, participating in all the group's activities. Ruth was also an excellent cook, always ready with a freezer full of cinnamon buns and pies, which she generously shared with others. Be it a sudden gathering of ten people or a planned dinner, Ruth could whip up a delicious meal in no time, and it was something she truly enjoyed.
Ruth cherished her family above everything. Her grandchildren held a special place in her heart, as shown by the pictures of them that she proudly displayed throughout her house. The arrival of her four great-grandchildren brought Ruth so much joy. She adored spending time with them, their presence keeping her young at heart. 

Ruth is survived by her children, Barry(Lynn) Etsell and Elaine(Rod) McLeod. Her grandchildren Jeff(Ali) Mcleod, Dustin(Jose)Mcleod, Colin(Val) Etsell and Lori(Chase) Etsell. And her great-grandchildren Scout, Maeve, Ben, and Nolan.
Ruth is also survived by her siblings: Earl(Aline) Brown,  Frieda, Irene, Evelyn(Bruce) Garland, Linda(Barry) Mills, and sisters-in-law: Shirley Brown and Marj Brown and their families.
Ruth is predeceased by her sisters Diane Brown, Edith Etsell and Shirley Fitterer; brothers Emil, Fred, Harry, Ben, and Harvey Brown; sisters-in-law Dorothy, Marion, and Agnes; brothers-in-law; Hilbert Kerbs, Lloyd Etsell, Charles Fitterer, Kasper Fitterer, Cliff/Hazel Etsell, Jack/Pearl Ross and Gerald/Coral Etsell.

A celebration of Ruth's life will be held at Saint Paul’s United Church in Kindersley on Friday, May 3, 2024, at 2:00 PM, where her spirit will be honored and her memory cherished by all who knew her.  It will be live streamed at the link below or you can go directly to St. Paul's United Church Facebook page.

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