Ruth Ann Kaufmann

Ruth Ann Kaufmann passed into the hands of Jesus on Dec 26, 2017 in Lacombe, Alberta at the age of 98 years.

Ruth was born on the 24th of September 1919 in Stoughton, Wisconsin to Matt and Josephine Roherty. She spent her childhood and school years in the town of Edgerton in southern Wisconsin. After high school Ruth attended Teacher's College and received a Bachelor of Education degree.  She went on to teach Junior/Senior High School levels of English and Mathematics in Illinois, Michigan and Wisconsin. While working towards a Master's degree at the University of Wisconsin in Madison, WI, she met Martin Kaufmann, a Canadian veteran working on his PhD in Agronomy.  A wonderful relationship was started, and Martin and Ruth were married in Edgerton in June of 1954. The couple moved to Lacombe in February of 1956 where Martin was to be employed at the Canada Agriculture Research Station. Putting her teaching career aside, Ruth now had a lot of time to volunteer in the community, and perhaps prophetically, was soon involved in the Council on Aging. When the Meals-On-Wheels service was organized by church groups, Ruth delivered the first meal.  She was instrumental in the organization of Father Lacombe Day celebrating the namesake for the City of Lacombe. From there it seemed to be a natural step for her to become the Welcome Wagon Hostess, expressing her pride in Lacombe.  After visiting newcomers for many years, Ruth was encouraged to chair the Lacombe and District Chamber of Commerce. During her term in that position, "Lacombe, The First Century", a book contributed and compiled by writers of the community was published.  In 1991 she was named Citizen of the Year. She spent over 40 years reading to seniors at the Nursing Home and the Seniors Lodge and telling jokes after the weekly lunches at the Kozy Korner seniors drop-in center in Lacombe. Ruth and Martin raised four children and celebrated 54 years of marriage before Martin passed away in 2008.  Ruth was predeceased by her parents Mathew and Josephine Roherty, sister Marjory, brother John, Husband Martin, son Paul, and infant grandsons Michael and David. Ruth is survived by her son Tom (Marilyn), daughters Ann and Jean, daughter-in-law Connie, ten grandchildren, ten great grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews. Her wit and community spirit will be greatly missed by family and the many friends that she made during the years that she lived in Lacombe. 

A funeral service will be held on Monday, February 12, 2018 at 2:00 p.m. at St. Stephen's Catholic Church, Lacombe.

 Service Information