Ruth Edla Buchanan
December 22, 1922 – December 15, 2018
Ruth was born at home in the Alpine district of Manitoba, Swan River area outside of Benito, Manitoba. The 5th oldest of her Swedish born parents, Eric and Fanny Nelson. In 1923, the family and her mother’s parents Per and Edla Lindquist, one sister and many brothers moved to Dryden, Ontario. They lived on Airport Road. The four oldest siblings attended the Shoal Lake (Rice Lake) school. A baby died at birth at home. The next baby, Kenneth, was born in the Red Cross Hospital in Dryden in 1928. Dad, Eric, wanted to farm and the family moved to Wadena, Saskatchewan that year. 5 more children were born there. Ruth grew up on the farm doing many chores. She was close to her mother and remembered brushing her waist length hair for her and picking strawberries together. Her mother often said with thankfulness, “Oh Ruth, you always come when I call.” She was called Rut, the Swedish form of Ruth. Ruth was fond of going to get cows in the evening. Her dad played the card game Whist after supper. Yes, they really did walk the 2 miles to school down the railroad tracks. In the cold winters, their dad told them to “Keep walking! Don’t stop, or you’ll freeze!” Neighbours were friends. It was devastating when her mother died in 1938 at the age of 43. Ruth, just 15, and the other older sisters, took on the care of their 6 younger siblings. Her youngest sister, Dora, just passed away in October 2018. They talked on the phone just 6 days prior.
Ruth started work as a nurse’s aide at the Wadena Hospital, saw and did many things. She even assisted a mother give birth when the doctor wasn’t available.
In 1952, she moved back to Dryden for her future marriage to Grant Buchanan, which occurred in August 1953. Ruth has been a resident of Dryden since then. She first worked in the St. Regis Bag Factory and then continued nursing in the Dryden Red Cross Hospital. Daughter Donna was born in 1954, son Robert in 1957 and daughter Lori in 1964. In 1969, Ruth went back to nursing part-time in the hospital. Then she worked in Patricia Gardens for a few years when it opened.
Ruth and the family were members of the First United Church. She taught Sunday school when Lori was little. Ruth attended the Dryden Full Gospel Church with Donna. Ruth was a master gardener, working with passion and joy in her large garden and flower beds. She did many other things as well. She was on a bowling league, a long-time member of the Ladies Auxiliary of the Royal Canadian Legion (Grant and Ruth enjoyed the Legion dances and social events), member of the Horticultural Society, member of the Dryden Go-Getters and was a supreme homemaker.
Ruth was a great cook and baker. She made things such as; homemade bread, pies, cookies, cakes and cake decorating, home preserves, jams, pickles, canned trout and chicken. She loved to go blueberry picking and several trips were made to Hadashville to go pick strawberries. Ruth also made wine, sewed, quilted and crocheted many dish cloths.
There were many trips to Saskatchewan in the summer throughout the years to visit family. As well as many trips to Calgary, Kelowna and Kamloops to visit Lori and family. The huge Lindquist family reunion was held in Dryden in August 2002. The Nelson family reunion was held in 2004 on the family farm in Wadena, Saskatchewan.
Ruth daily watched the Price is Right and Dragon’s Den on TV. On Sunday it was Joel Osteen and Bobby Schuller. For years she has read the Senior Paper for hours every day from Saskatchewan. It is full of people’s old time stories of life on the prairies that she could relate to. Also, she listened daily to CBC radio. She enjoyed the topics and discussions, keeping her mind active, wanting to know what was happening in the world. The quote “Wise women are always learning, always listening for fresh insights” – Proverbs 18:15, describes our mother Ruth!
Ruth was proud and happy to be a grandma. Daughter Donna was briefly married to Donald Barnett in 1984. She returned to Dryden in August of 1984. Grandma was there at the birth of her first grandchild, Tyler Buchanan in January 1985. Daughter Lori married Cameron Gatey in Dryden in July 1987. Their son Michael was born in November 1990 in Mississauga, Ontario. Their daughter Jennifer was born in November 1999 in Calgary, Alberta. Lori and family came every summer to visit. The family cats have also been loved. Mickey misses her and Goldie is with her in heaven.
Ruth lived in her home for 64 years. In October 2017, she moved to Princess Court, first floor. She enjoyed going to bingo, other activities and walking to the dining room with her friend Millie. She came home for many weekends where Robert and now also Donna live. For several years, Ruth and Donna almost weekly, visited friend Clara (Klara) to have coffee, play Sorry and cards (31).
Years were spent in the summer at the family cabin on Wabigoon Lake. Sundays were often times for family and friends. We stopped at the corner store on Parkdale Road for Blue Boy ice cream to go with mother’s home made pie. She even had 2 gardens out there.
Lori was home for a wonderful visit, playing cards with mother and daughters. On Thursday, December 13th, Ruth had her hair done for all the December birthdays on the Friday, December 14th but sadly she missed the party. Our dear mother’s long life came to an end quickly on Saturday, December 15th, night. Her heart had enough.
Ruth was predeceased by her mother Fanny, father Eric, husband Grant, siblings; Werner, Alma, Myrtle, Ella, Kenneth, Melvin and Dora and granddaughter Jennifer. Ruth is survived by daughters Donna Buchanan of Dryden, ON and Lori (Cameron) Gatey of Kamloops, BC, son Robert Buchanan of Dryden, ON, grandsons Tyler Buchanan of Surrey, BC and Michael (Reanne) Gatey of Kamloops, BC, sister Lily Elliot, brothers Mickey Nelson and Albert Nelson as well as many nieces, nephews and lots of cousins.
Ruth is also a loyal and deeply loving friend to us. A woman of inner and outer beauty. A woman of incredible depth of character and moral fibre. We stand on the shoulders of a giant. We will miss you so very much, but know you are always with us. Love you always. Look forward to seeing you again! Xoxo
Thank you to Barb Lindquist of CCAC and Home Care, especially Marlene who helped mother at home for about 2 years. Thank you to foot care nurse Loretta and hairdressers Julie and Brenda. We give extra special thanks to the wonderful caregivers at Princess Court, including nursing staff, cleaning ladies, activity coordinators, dining room servers, Marlene at the front desk, Kathy the hairdresser, the singers plus her fellow residents, especially those on her floor and wing. They really are all family at Princess Court. Plus great and deep appreciation to the Dryden Hospital, the EMT’s, the emergency nurses and doctors, her doctor, Dr. Kerri Wilson-Smith and the nurses who are so caring. Thanks to Bob Savage for his help. Special thanks to Vi Lindquist, who treated Ruth as her Aunt with great respect, honour and love. Thank you family and friends. Ruth has enriched our lives and will continue to do so!
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