Obituaries

It is with sadness that we say goodbye to our dear Ruth. She is predeceased by her mother Emma Knudsen (d.1936), father Wilhelm August Reinhold Kaun (d. 1972), her brother Kenneth (d.1998), her sister Ella (d.2009), her husband Charles William (d.1989), her infant daughter Joyce Marie (d.1946), and her dear friend Fred Cressey (d. 2004). She is survived by 3 daughters Linda McArthur (Tim) of Nanaimo, Patricia Lenaghan (Robert) of Saanichton, and Marlene Archer (Norman Crewe) of North Saanich; grandchildren Meghan (Everett), Matthew (Erika), Christina (Andre), Deanna(Kyle), Harry, Emma; eleven great-grandchildren; nieces, nephews and many friends.

Mom grew up in Middle Lake and LeRoy Saskatchewan. She left her small town in about 1941 at the age of 18 years old to catch the train from Saskatoon to Toronto to work in DIL munitions factory. On that train she made friends with her future sister-in-law, and ultimately met Dad and they married in 1944. In her newspaper announcement of the wedding it stated, “The bride is a worthy product of this community and can count on a number of friends who wish her a long and happy future.” With a few bumps along the way, it was quite true that mom did have many friends and lived a full life (almost 98 years) on her terms. She loved a good joke and enjoyed a good laugh. She was usually up for a party with friends or family. During her life Mom volunteered at the library, the United Church, the Ladies Auxiliary of the Legion, and the hospital auxiliaries. Mom sewed, quilted, crocheted, and knitted for us all, as well as made jams, jellies, canned fruit and vegetables from Dad’s prolific garden. And, who can forget her wine making! She had adventures living in Toronto, Saskatoon, Vancouver, Salt Spring Island, Christina Lake, Saanichton and finally to Sidney. After her retirement from the Post Office in 1988, Mom enjoyed travels to Japan, Mexico, Europe, Britain and Alaska. She consistently went to her family reunions in Canada and the US where she could catch up with her younger generations. With a dogged determination she learned to swim, golf, curl and cross-country ski. In her final years, she loved watching the Toronto Blue Jays baseball, any golf and curling events and was happy to talk about them with gusto! Thank you to those who took care of Mom in Assisted Living during the last year, because you made her days brighter.

Rest in peace Mom.

No service at this time due to Covid restrictions.