Palmer Ruten

In Loving Memory of

Palmer Ruten

FAMILY SERVICE AND VIEWING

Friday, July 30, 2021

7:00 p.m.

Crossroads Bible Church

Spalding, SK

FUNERAL SERVICE

Saturday, July 31, 2021

2:00 p.m.

Crossroads Bible Church

Spalding, SK

Please join the family virtually at https://aspenfilms.ca/palmer/

Palmer Michael Ruten was born on August 16, 1930, along with his twin sister Myrtle, to Peter and Tora Ruten, soon after they immigrated from Norway. He grew up on the farm near Spalding along with his siblings – Bergliot (Magnus) Dahlsjo, Margaret, Iver (Myrna), Mulfrid, Myrtle (Richard) Tondell and Telford (Ruth). In his early teens, he made the most important decision of his life, to accept the Lord as his Saviour. After graduating High School, he attended Millar College of the Bible at Pambrun, Saskatchewan where he met his wife-to-be, Mary Giesbrecht. After corresponding by mail for a winter, Palmer proposed on their first date and Mary was thrilled!! They got married on November 7, 1953. Palmer began his teaching career two weeks later near Yellow Creek, then Fort a la Corne, on to Arpsville near Tisdale and finally to Spalding where he taught school for 16 years, part of that time as Principal. He was then asked to join the staff in a Special Education Program in Muenster for 11 years, which he found very rewarding. He retired after 32 years of teaching.

During his time in Spalding, he was very active in his Church and Community, serving on many Boards – the Church Board, Stoney Lake Bible Camp, Nipawin Bible College, the Spalding Recreation Board, the Spalding Board of Trade and involved with many years of Spalding Homecomings. Palmer always enjoyed curling and bowling as well as a Senior's group nicknamed 'The Living Fossils'. A highlight of his summers was organizing the Ruten Family Reunions each year as well as Christmas get-togethers with the whole clan. The extended family was so important!

Of the initial family, only his brother Telford (Ruth) remains, and Mary's siblings Frank Giesbrecht, Susan Giesbrecht and Helen Roos, plus many much-loved nieces and nephews. Family has always been a top priority to him. Palmer was such a devoted husband to the love of his life, Mary for almost 68 years. He was an amazing father and Godly role model to Larry (Glenna), Lois (Herb) Jansen, Janice (Kevin) Evans and Michele (Dwight) Koop. They were blessed with 14 grandchildren and 40 (and counting) great grandchildren. Palmer loved each one dearly and prayed for each one daily.

Palmer and Mary lived on the family farm for 56 years until they moved into Spalding. In July of 2020, after a fall, Palmer was taken to the Hospital in Humboldt and from there moved to Bethany Pioneer Village in Middle Lake. God answered many specific prayers to open a room for Palmer in the Aspen Wing where he would receive full time care and for Mary in the Assisted Living Birch Wing which allowed her to visit him daily and that she did! How Palmer looked forward to those visits. They could not have been better cared for and loved and doted on!! A huge thank you to the Staff at Aspen for loving him so very well.

On Saturday morning, July 24, 2021, Palmer quietly slipped into the arms of Jesus with Mary holding his hand and family at his side. He is now home where he longed to be. Thank you for the legacy you left, and a life well lived!