In addition to her five children, Mona Morrison, Brad (Leslie) Paetz, Michele (Michael) Copan, Rhonda (Rick) Kawa and Jeff (Linette) Paetz, Ruth is mourned by 13 beautiful grandchildren, Bernadette, Grant, Brittany, Emma, Alyssa, Garrett, Lauren, Cassandra, Ryan, Rayel, Sean, Zachary and Aimee, and one great-grandchild, Lincoln. She is also survived by four siblings, Gary (Judy) Burgemeister, Ron (Betty) Burgemeister, Gordon (Laura Lea) Burgemeister and Donna Daniels, and by her sister-in-law, Barb Burgemeister.

Ruth was predeceased by her husband of 59 years, Ted Paetz, her sons, Anthony and Greg Paetz, her parents, Emma and Fred Burgemeister, and her two brothers, Ivan and Ken Burgemeister. An avid reader and teacher, Ruth was born Ruth Marie Burgemeister in 1934 in Hanna, Alberta, to parents Emma and Frederick. She loved her childhood, growing up on the farm and living in a two-bedroom home. One of her fondest memories was Saturday nights, when the family would finish their chores early, put on their best “bib and tuckers”, and head into town. Ruth would meet up with friends and they would all go to a show or attend a dance.

Ruth attended the University of Calgary for one year and received her teaching certificate. It was while working at a one-room school in Cando that she met the dashing Ted Paetz, who was working on the family farm. They married in 1955 and were blessed with six children.

Ruth and Ted lived in and around southeast Alberta (including Drumheller, Cavendish, Brooks, and Sunnynook) for ten years, and then moved to Whitecourt, Alberta in 1965. They lived there for 33 years, and then retired to Vernon, British Columbia in 1998. After the passing of Ted, Ruth eventually relocated to Lethbridge, Alberta to be closer to family.

Ruth lived a faith-filled life of giving and stressed the importance of family and friends. If she wasn’t volunteering for one of the many church or community organizations, she would spend her time with her family and friends. She could often be found doting on her many grandchildren and great grandchild. Her friendships spanned many decades and many generations. She was always reaching out on special occasions, to lend support or to simply reconnect.

She loved and was loved and will be dearly missed by all.

A Visitation will be held at CORNERSTONE FUNERAL HOME, 2825 – 32 Street South, Lethbridge, AB, on Monday, April 22nd, 2024 at 6:00 P.M., with a Prayer Service to follow at 7:00 P.M. with Deacon Bruce Barnett officiating.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at ST. MARTHA’S CATHOLIC CHURCH, 355 Columbia Blvd. West, Lethbridge, AB, on Tuesday, April 23rd, 2024 at 11:00 A.M. with Father William Monis celebrating. The Funeral Mass will be live-streamed and may be viewed through Ruth’s obituary on the Cornerstone website.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Ruth’s honor to the Alberta Lung Association (ablung.ca)