RUTH HUNTLEY

Ruth Huntley, 91, of 102 First St., Rainy River, Ont., passed away Sunday, April 12, 2009 at La Verendrye General Hospital in Fort Frances, Ont.
Ruth was born Jan. 19, 1918 in Bergland, Ont. to the late Elmer and Emma Wenstrom. She lived in the area for almost all of her life (except for the last six years).
She worked very hard all her life, both on her parents’ farm and then on her own. To help her family financially, Ruth also worked at Gerhard’s Store and house in Arbor Vitae, clerking, cleaning, and babysitting Thayne.
It was here that she met Percy, a co-worker, and fell in love. Ruth married Percy in Rainy River on Jan. 12, 1938 and moved with him to his homestead way back in the bush in Tovell Township.
Percy, with the help of his brothers, then built their house on Highway 619, still in Tovell Township. They farmed this land and logged their homestead for almost the next 55 years.
Ruth and Percy raised four children: Larry, Dorothy, Elaine, and Evelyn. This often was challenging and time-consuming, as Elaine was handicapped and needed special care and attention.
During this whole time, Ruth also had another job. Because Percy was road superintendent and then clerk for the Municipality of McCrosson and Tovell, Ruth spent countless hours on bookkeeping and paperwork. Balancing books to the last cent was much more difficult before the time of computer programs.
When Percy became ill with Alzheimer’s, Ruth became a fantastic and patient caregiver. She almost wore herself out tending to his needs for many years.
When Percy passed away in 1994, Ruth moved to Bergland and her life completely changed. Now she could visit with friends every day, both at the Bergland Store and the Bergland Café. She really enjoyed these years.
In the fall of 2002, Ruth fell and broke her hip and her life completely changed again. Now she had to move to an apartment in Heritage House in Rainy River. This was a big change but Ruth adapted well.
In 2003, she broke her shoulder but continued to fight against these challenges. She still drove here car (except in the winter) until last fall.
Ruth was a member of the Bergland Women’s Institute for about 50 years. While in the Rainy River Hospital in March, she was very pleased and excited when she was presented with a Lifetime Membership plaque.
Ruth lived a very full, happy, and long life with few health problems. In November, 2008, she was diagnosed with congestive heart failure. This was the one obstacle that she could not fight back and recover from.
Ruth passed away peacefully, lying in bed, working on crossword puzzles.
She was predeceased by her husband, Percival (Percy) Huntley; two children, Larry and Elaine Huntley; and two sisters, Beatrice Lundberg and Bernice Persson.
Ruth is survived by two daughters, Dorothy and husband, Melvin Martin, of Winnipeg, Man. and Evelyn and husband, Paul Hogan, of Thunder Bay, Ont.; eight grandchildren, Kim and husband, Bill Forrest, Wendy and husband, Delorn Moline, Jim Huntley and wife, Sveta, Chris Huntley and wife, Susan, Sandy Martin and husband, Don Bindas, Nancy and husband, Gerald David, Julie and husband, Jeff Bell, and Karen Hogan and husband, Jared Roos; 17 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were held Saturday, April 18, 2009 at 2 p.m. at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Bergland. Lay Pastor Carolyn Kreger officiated, with interment in Bergland Cemetery.
Family and friends visited Friday, April 17, 2009 from 7-8 p.m. at the Rainy River Funeral Home, and one hour prior to services at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Bergland on Saturday, April 18, 2009.
The pallbearers were Clifford Nixon, Gerald Nixon, Harold Huntley, Ab Desrosiers, Lawrence Larson, and Ed Pearson.
Should family and friends so desire, in memoriam donations may be made to the charity of your choice c/o the Rainy River Funeral Home, P.O. Box 694, Rainy River, Ont., P0W 1L0.
Online condolences may be offered at www.mem.com