Theresa "Ruth" Schaefer

February 14, 1947 - August 5, 2019
It is with great sadness and heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Theresa Ruth Schaefer (Ruth), loving wife, mother, aunt, grandmother, and recently great grandmother. Ruth passed away peacefully in Penticton on August 5th, 2019.
Ruth was born in Germany to Martha and Franz. She moved with her family to Canada when she was 6 years old and grew up in Edmonton. At 17 years old she met the love of her life, Fred, and they were married in 1965. She raised her two sons in Edmonton working as an office administrator for Alberta Forestry with a small stint on a farm in Abee (Alberta). Ruth and Fred 'retired' to the Okanagan in 1991 to run a fruit orchard in Keremeos. On the orchard she referred to herself as the 'nutty cherry lady' - walnuts and cherries were her thing.
She is survived by her brother John (Hilda) Hoyer [Edmonton], son Jeff (Rita) Schaefer [Keremeos], daughter in-law Donna Schaefer [Edmonton], her grandchildren Kate (Kevin) Roth [Calgary], David Schaefer [Edmonton], Emma Schaefer [Edmonton], and Tina Schaefer [Winnipeg] and great granddaughter Anna Roth, as well as numerous other relatives and close friends. Ruth was predeceased by her Husband Fred Schaefer, Sister Irene Thiele and son Michael Schaefer.
Ruth spent her retirement years oil painting, visiting on the patio, cutting grass on the orchard and caring for her grandchildren as they grew up next door. She loved to dance, meet new people, and try to solve the world's problems over a coffee or better yet - a rum and coke. She was the glue that held a long-distance family together and will be deeply missed by all who knew her.
A celebration of life will be held on September 7th, 2019 at 1 pm at New Beginnings Church in Keremeos, BC, officiated by Don Bodden. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Heart and Stroke Foundation.