Ruth Sleziak

Ruth Alvena Anne Sleziak (nee Hamilton) of Foam Lake, SK, left this world (quickly, painlessly and in a state of Grace) at 4:55 PM, January 11, 2020, at St Paul's Hospital in Saskatoon, SK, just 4 days short of her day of birth. She was a baby boomer, born January 15, 1944, to Richard Kirk Hamilton and Charlotte Lorraine Hamilton (nee Osborne), hard working and easy-going farmers north of Lintlaw, SK.

Ruth married Edward Ladmer Sleziak, after a late harvest was brought in (successfully), on November 12, 1965. They celebrated with twin receptions, in Hazel Dell, SK and Lintlaw, SK and enjoyed almost 55 years of wedded bliss. Together they raised three children, first Kevin Edward (1966), then Richard William (1968) and finally Karen Anne (1974). Later, they were favored with the upbringing (together with Karen) of Amanda Lee (1993) and Donald Edward (1999), their daughter's children, by then husband, Robert Keith Gannon.

Ruth was a great mother, a better wife (and help-mate) and an amazing grandmother, effortlessly enfolding her family, their friends and many a lucky stranger in her loving, supportive and generous arms. Seldom was the night when some group was not out at the Ponderosa (the family farm), at the house in Snow Lake, MB or even at the house in Foam Lake, SK chatting merrily, playing cards, listening to music or just tucking into the supper table for an excellent feed. She was a master cook/baker, a dependable friend, a willing and able dancer and just the right personality for any social occasion. She harbored a fierce pride in her family (and protecting them), her garden (and her preserves) and in particular the time she spent as President of the Navy League, in Snow Lake, MB. The only regret she had, in her 75 years of life, was that she didn't have enough time with her children, as farming in the early days was a 20 hour a day business.

Ruth was predeceased by her mother and father, survived by her husband of 54 years, her brother Andrew James (of Toronto, ON), her sons, daughter (and new husband Scot Mills) and grandchildren. Now she rests in the great beyond, reunited with family and life long friends, enjoying the celestial view, a bottomless cup of great coffee (AND a cigarette) and perfect eternal health; as she used to say "I am 35 and holding!!!"