RUTH KATHLEEN (RIRIE) RICE, age 98, passed away on Thursday, September 15, 2022, surrounded by loved ones. She was born on May 21,1924 in Magrath, Alberta, the second of seven children born to Margaret Annie (Watson) and Elmer Morris Ririe.
Ruth spent her youth on a sheep and horse farm near Magrath. In the absence of older brothers, she was a great help to her father. She was a proficient horsewoman and loved farm life and the outdoors. She graduated from Magrath High School with honors and attended the University of Alberta at Edmonton where she excelled in the Honors Chemistry program. She played basketball, served in student government and was loved by her classmates.
She married her high school sweetheart, the late Wesley W. Rice, in Magrath on September 28, 1945. Wes spoke lovingly of his wife, “I thought she was the most beautiful girl in all of Alberta. She was outgoing and happy.” Wes and Ruth farmed in the Bradshaw Sidings area, east of Magrath, where they lived until 1957 when they moved into town in the winters so that their children could more easily participate in school activities. Ruth loved to attend her husband’s ballgames, and they enjoyed dancing and outdoor activities.
Ruth served faithfully in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She held many positions of leadership, was a seminary teacher and a dedicated temple worker. She was service-oriented, helping wherever she could. She was known for delivering meals of stuffed roast chicken with all the fixings to those in need. Ruth was a hard worker and consummate homemaker. Her home was beautifully kept. She was a wonderful cook, and was an excellent seamstress and gardener. She loved her roses, which were admired by many in town. She made dresses for her girls, quilts for her children and grandchildren, and canned thousands of jars of produce. She was a great support to her family, attending ballgames, recitals, performances and visiting those who lived far away. She was an amazing woman, a modern-day pioneer in her resolve, faith, hard work, and unwavering commitment to the Gospel.
Ruth is survived by six children: Valerie (John) Halladay, Medicine Hat; Janice (Johnn) Sterzer, Highland, Utah; Bob (Michelle) Rice, Lethbridge; Cindy (Jim) Irwin, Calgary; Ron (Laura) Rice, Burley, Idaho; and Jackie (Rusty) Rollingson, Magrath; 24 grandchildren; 67 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandson.
A Private Family service will be held.