Obituary - Ruby Hirch
Ruby Hirch
1935 - 2019
Ruby Helene Martha Hirch (nee Ciesla) of Bow Island, beloved wife of the late Ed Hirch, has gone to be with her Lord passing away at the Bow Island Health Centre on Friday, August 23, 2019, at the age of 83 years. Ruby was born in Lethbridge, Alberta. Through the local Lutheran church, she met Edmund. After graduating from the Galt School of Nursing in Lethbridge in 1956, they married. She worked at the Lethbridge hospital for several years. In 1963, they followed Ed’s passion for farming, moving to Bow Island where together, they started and successfully grew their grain and cattle operation. Ruby was known for her tenderness and kindness in caring for those around her. This developed into a vast number of close friends that will forever treasure their friendship with Ruby. She was very involved in Zion Lutheran Church including Sunday School, Vacation Bible School, and Bible Study. Ruby was especially proud of how she and others sewed thousands of quilts over the years which were shipped to those in need around the world. One of the many ways she served God was sharing her pianist talents through church services, Sunday School and hymn sings at senior gatherings. One of Oma’s favourite things was spending time with her grandchildren which sometimes required spending hours on the bus travelling to see them. It wasn’t uncommon for her to spend hours reading books along with a few “giggle fests”. Ruby will be lovingly remembered by her three children: Richard (Barbara), David (Janet), Christine (Darren) and eight grandchildren: Grayson, Aliya, Benjamin, Alexander, Ariana, Anika, Audra and Kristopher. She is also survived by her sister, Inge (George) Hoffman and brother, Paul (Kathleen) Ciesla. She was predeceased by her “Eddie Boy” (Edmund) and their daughter Paula. A Celebration of Ruby’s life will be held at Zion Lutheran Church, 104 - 2 Avenue West, Bow Island, on Saturday, August 31, 2019, at 2:00 p.m. Interment will follow at the Bow Island Cemetery with a luncheon thereafter at the Royal Canadian Legion, 202 - 5 Avenue East, Bow Island. Special thanks to the staff at the Bow Island Pleasant View Lodge, Bow Island Health Centre and especially Dr. Tawfeeq for their special care to our Mom these last two years. Memorial donations in Ruby’s name may be made directly to the Canadian Lutheran World Relief, #600 - 177 Lombard Avenue, Winnipeg, MB, R3B 0W5 or to the Bow Island and District Health Foundation, P.O. Bag 3990, Bow Island, Alberta, T0K 0G0.
Send a condolence message
Condolence messages are sent through an approval queue prior to publication. Once approved, your name and condolence message are viewable by the public. Your email address will remain private, and is for notification purposes only. Please refer to our Privacy Policy for more details.
Karl Brier:
Aug 26, 2019 at 08:37 PM
Aunt (Tante) Ruby was a great witness and model of Christian love and devotion. I always admired her since my earliest childhood and long into adulthood. She will be missed. My deepest sympathies.
Irene Schussler:
Aug 27, 2019 at 10:33 AM
Ruby was a wonderful women. Kind and compassionate. I will miss her smiling face at VBS each summer. Her love for the Lord was evident in all she did. I am so blessed to have known her. May her family cherish the memories they made together as they grieve their loss.
Leni:
Aug 28, 2019 at 12:40 AM
I'm so lucky to have had Tante Ruby as my aunt. May she be filled with joy as she rekindles with departed kin. Hugs to Rick, David and Chris. Love, Leni
Clare and Grace Van Der Mark:
Aug 28, 2019 at 11:28 PM
We would like to express our deepest Sympathy to the Family of Ruby Hirsch,
It is with heavy hearts that we learn about Ruby passing. Your Mom and Dad were such good friends to us when we moved to Bow Island and all the time we lived there. They never stopped helping us. I so enjoyed all our phone visits after we left. They were there every minute for my Mom and Dad. She will be so missed. We are so lucky to have known them. Love Clare and Grace
Harv & Kathy Nixdorf:
Aug 29, 2019 at 09:30 AM
Our deepest sympathies to Rick, David, Christine and their families. We were deeply saddened to hear of your mom & Oma’s passing. The love she showed for her family was evident in everything she did. I always admired her soft and gentle reasoning when I spoke with her and your dad. Her beautiful smile lit up her face, no matter what the circumstance. She was always so proud of her children’s and grandchildren’s accomplishments and, again in her gentle way, enjoyed sharing their achievements. As you deal with these voids that have been left in your lives, may her strength surround you and God’s love comfort you.
Heidi Gross:
Aug 30, 2019 at 02:13 PM
Rick, David, Chris and families,
My heart goes out to you all! First you lost your dad a short while ago, and now your mom. Your family's place was also such a fun place to hang out as kids. Over the years, it seems that your mother never stopped caring or wanting to know how we were all doing. She was a precious, godly woman, so loved, and so respected by many -- and left a powerful legacy behind for those who were blessed to have known her. I am one of the many who admires, loved and will miss her! My heart and prayers go out to you at this time. Hugs & love, Heidi
Doris Wutzke:
Aug 31, 2019 at 11:28 AM
Our sincere sympathies to all the family. Ruby was one of the sweetest, kindest lady. She exemplified her love of God through her actions & her caring for others. May memories help you at this difficult time.❤️ Robert & Doris Wutzke & family
Connie Fleming:
Aug 31, 2019 at 04:23 PM
To Rick, David & Christine & families;
Our thoughts & prayers are with you all again.
We will always remember your mom & grandma for her genuine smile, thoughtfulness & friendship;
And her love for God & her family.
Our sincere sympathies,
Walter & Marilyn Pahl
Connie & Barry Fleming