MANDSETH
Ruby Eileen Mandseth of Edmonton, Alberta passed away peacefully at the University of Alberta Hospital on Sunday, October 9, 2022 at the age of 95 years.
Ruby Eileen Haggis was born on February 5, 1927 in London, England. Her early childhood was spent in the Battersea District near the Thames River where she and her sister Rose were part of a close-knit family. The happy childhood was, however, destined to end early, as by the age of twelve she became part of “Operation Pied Piper” – the evacuation of children from London and other cities in anticipation of Britain entering the conflict which would shape Ruby’s future. She returned to London in time to experience the Blitz – the intense bombing of London by the German Luftwaffe. Nights were typically spent in bomb shelters, including the London underground subway network from which they would emerge each morning to see if their home and neighbourhood had survived.
A few years later, Ruby would meet and eventually marry a young Canadian soldier, Rolf Mandseth. When the war ended, she joined the tide of war brides who immigrated to North America to forge a future with their new husbands. The trials of her early life put some steel in Ruby’s spine, strength she would need as she joined Rolf on the family’s subsistence farm. Everything was new to the big-city girl and not made easier by her new family who delighted in teasing her about the challenges presented by her new life. Ruby had to deal with everything from the “outhouse” to the “killer” chickens! But cope she did and she and Rolf began their family, soon moving to the nearby hamlet of Hoadley, Alberta where they lived for the next twelve years before moving to the small prairie town of Altario, Alberta. Ruby was the matriarch of a line which included four children, fourteen grandchildren, thirty-one great grandchildren, and one great, great grandchild. Ruby was blessed with a life well-lived, surrounded by the love, respect, and admiration of her entire family.
Ruby will be lovingly remembered and sadly missed by her two sons Larry Mandseth (Linda Pederson) of Calgary; and Ken (Carolynn) Mandseth of Edmonton; and her two daughters Janice Crawford of Kinuso, Alberta; and Laura McKeddie of Edmonton. She will also be lovingly remembered by her cherished grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great, great grandchild; in addition to many nieces, nephews, other relatives, and several dear friends. Ruby was predeceased by her parents Cecilia and James; her beloved husband Rolf in 2000; two grandchildren Samuel and Pamela; her brother Jimmy; and her sister Rose.
A public Funeral Service in Celebration of Ruby’s Life was held at the Hoadley Community Hall, Hoadley on Friday, October 21, 2022 at 1:00 p.m. with Pastor Terry Oke officiating. Interment followed in the Hoadley Cemetery. If friends desire, memorial tributes in Ruby’s memory may be made directly to the Alzheimer’s Society of Alberta and NWT, #306, 10430 - 61 Avenue, Edmonton, Alberta T6H 2J3 (www.alzheimer.ca). Thoughts and messages to the family may be shared through the condolence area located at the bottom of this page.
Service and Burial Arrangements for the Late Ruby Eileen Mandseth entrusted to the care of
