On March 16, 2014, Ruth Brimacombe passed away at the Yorkton Regional Health Centre, Yorkton, SK at the age of 99 years. She was predeceased by her husband, W.J. (Jack) Brimacombe in 1974 and by her parents, Willard Sandford Eckardt in 1931 and Mary (nee Cross) Eckardt in 1965; her brother, George Eckardt in 1967; her sisters, May Cooper in 1966 and Grace Allin in 1984; her half siblings, Charles Eckardt in 1941 and Floss (Ferguson) Reynolds in 1966 as well as her special sister-in-law, Ada (nee Brimacombe) Blackhall in 2005. Ruth was born on March 9, 1915 on her parents' farm in the Crescent Lake District. She married Jack Brimacombe in 1934 and farmed with him until his passing. They lived with her mother, Mary until her death in 1965, where they helped raise Jack's baby sister, Ada. In 1939, they added to the family with the birth of their daughter, Velma and then their son, Francis in 1951. Because Ruth lived within one mile of her birthplace most of her life, she was very involved in the community including the Hilltop Curling Club (where she was one of the founding members), Hilltop School and Waldron Seniors Club. She was very active in the curling community, enjoying bonspeils and fellowship in Saltcoats, Waldron and Yorkton, besides her home rink at Hilltop. Between seasons she kept busy gardening, knitting and crocheting, decorating wedding cakes and watching sports on TV, and of course, there were always Grandma's homemade buns. When Ruth was 86 and her failing eyesight made it difficult to drive, she moved into Yorkton where she lived at the Heather apartments for a year, before she settled into Fisher Court. She enjoyed many friendships developed over the next 12 years as she played cards and shuffleboard and participated in as many social gatherings as she was able to including teas, meals, meetings and parties. Ruth was well respected and loved by all who knew her. Her caring personality was well rewarded as others repaid her with kindness and help of their own. She never failed to express her gratitude for these many acts of kindness. Ruth never had an unkind word to say about anyone and her typical response was, "It would be a boring world if we were all the same". One of the last pieces of advice she offered was, "Laugh and the world laughs with you. Cry and you cry alone". A wonderful example for those whose lives she touched and leaves behind. That includes her loving family, daughter, Velma (Al Thompson) Brimacombe of West Kelowna, BC; son, Fran (Debbie) Brimacombe of Yorkton, SK; grandchildren, Sheri (Stu) Anderson of Calgary, AB, Keith (Krysta Atkin) Curtis of Grande Prairie, AB, Ryan (Erin) Brimacombe of Saskatoon, SK, Joel Brimacombe of Regina, SK and Sean (Rachel) Brimacombe of Lumsden, SK as well as a special nephew, Ken (Marilyn) Blackhall of Calgary, AB. Also missing Grandma Ruth are 11 great-grandchildren, Brian Horwood, Sara and Mary Anderson, Tegwyn and Solveig Curtis, Sam, Ike and Ellie Brimacombe, Abbey and Alenna Brimacombe and Tyler Brimacombe as well as several nephews and nieces. Funeral Services were held on Friday, March 21, 2014 from the Chapel of Christie's Funeral Home & Crematorium, Yorkton, SK with Reverend Jen Dresser officiating. The organist, Shani Apland led the congregation in the singing of the hymns, "What a Friend We Have in Jesus" and "Abide With Me". Following a luncheon in the Gunn Reception Room at Christie's Funeral Home, the Interment Service took place in the Yorkton City Cemetery with Sheri and Stu Anderson, Keith Curtis, Ryan Brimacombe, Joel Brimacombe and Sean Brimacombe. Friends so wishing may forward their condolences to the family by visiting www.christiesfuneralhome.com. Funeral arrangements were entrusted to Christie's Funeral Home & Crematorium, Yorkton, Saskatchewan.
