Ruth Ellen Lovatt Burnard was born on June 24, 1924 to Andrew and Esther (Copeland) Lovatt, in Radville, SK, where her father was the postmaster for many years. As a child, Ruth enjoyed tap dancing, piano lessons, figure skating and singing in recitals. She attended the University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon, graduating in 1947 with a degree in Household Science. She worked as a dietician in two different hospitals: the Vancouver General and the Royal Columbian Hospital in New Westminster. Ruth met Ivan Burnard of Theodore, SK while they were attending university. On July 6, 1949 they were married at St. Luke's Church in Victoria, then settled on the family farm seven miles south of Theodore. This was quite an adjustment for a city girl! Their marriage was a strong one and they were blessed with four children over 14 years, Beth, Ann, Keith and Trevor. They provided a warm, loving environment in which their children could grow and learn. They highly valued education and encouraged their children to strive to become their best. Ruth was a longtime member of the Creekside Homemakers Club which became the Women's Institute Guild in later years, enjoying lifelong friendships with the women in the club. She was also the secretary-treasurer of the Theodore Pastoral Charge of the United Church for over 10 years. Each year she harvested large amounts of vegetables from her half acre of garden. Over the years she baked hundreds of pies, cakes, cookies and buns - all delicious! Ruth also enjoyed sewing, embroidering and knitting - her hands were never idle! Living through the 1930's and the war years shaped her personality - she didn't throw anything out that might still have good wear in it, often re-making a garment into something else. All of her children and grandchildren treasure the mittens, socks and slippers made by her loving hands! Her help with trucking during harvest time was a huge help to Ivan. Later in life, Ruth took up oil painting which she thoroughly enjoyed! She gave away many of her exquisitely detailed paintings to family and friends. Ruth delighted in her five grandchildren - and her seven great-grandchildren! They have fond memories of her reading books, colouring and playing games with them. Her travels included two trips to England (one at age seven), Vancouver, Victoria, California, Denver, Ontario and many trips to Calgary. She always had a positive attitude toward life - deal with what life gives you and look on the bright side! When Ivan passed away in 1990, Ruth continued to live on at the farm with her two sons. Up until the age of 90, she had been hospitalized only when giving birth to babies! Two falls at age 91 in the spring of 2015 resulted in her eventually becoming a permanent resident of the Theodore Health Centre. The family is very grateful to the doctors, nurses and caregivers at the Canora and Theodore Nursing Homes, as well as in the hospitals in Regina, Canora and Yorkton for the excellent care they provided. Ruth was predeceased by her parents, Andrew and Esther Lovatt in the mid 1950's, by her infant sister at birth and by her loving husband, Ivan, in 1990. To celebrate her memory she leaves her two daughters: Beth (Paul) Berg of Yorkton, SK and their sons, Ian (Erin) Berg and their children, Felicity and Malcolm of Calgary, AB, Nolan (Rebecca) Berg and their sons, Ivan and David of Saskatoon, SK, Everett (Marie) Berg and their son, Cedar of Saskatoon, SK; Ann (Sandy) Crawford of Calgary, AB and their daughters, Colleen (Drew) Beausoleil and their son, Alexandre of Sherwood Park, AB and Alayne Crawford and her husband, Chris White and son, Kieran of Ottawa, ON and sons, Keith Burnard and Trevor Burnard of Theodore, SK. Ruth is also survived by her sister-in-law, Edna McNichol of Calgary, AB and her brother-in-law, Lawrence (Donna) Burnard of Estevan, SK and many dear nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Theodore Health Centre or to the Theodore United Church would be appreciated. A sharing time for family and friends was held on the evening of Friday, December 9, 2016 from the Chapel of Christie's Funeral Home in Yorkton, SK. The Funeral Service was held on Saturday, December 10, 2016 from the Chapel of Christie's Funeral Home with Pastor Sam Berg officiating. The pianist, Pattie Janzen led the congregation in the singing of the hymn, "Precious Lord, Take My Hand". Soloist, Amanda Buhler shared two selections, "We'll Meet Again" and "In the Bulb There is a Flower". Following a luncheon in the Gunn Reception Room at Christie's Funeral Home, the Interment Service took place in the Theodore Village Cemetery, Theodore, SK with Ruth's son, Trevor Burnard, grandsons, Ian Berg, Nolan Berg and Everett Berg and sons-in-law, Sandy Crawford and Paul Berg serving as the casket bearers. Friends so wishing may forward their condolences to the family by visiting . Funeral arrangements were entrusted to Christie's Funeral Home & Crematorium, Yorkton, Saskatchewan.
