Obituary of Ruth Mae Bold

BOLD – Ruth Mae

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Ruth Mae Bold (nee Martin), at the age of 92.

Ruth Mae Bold was born on October 22, 1931, in the Yankee Valley district, the middle child of a family of 5. Her and her siblings grew up with their parents, Albert and Mary (McDowall) Martin on the family farm. Days were spent tending to the many chores around the farm and attending school at the small country school.

Ruth enjoyed her childhood on the farm, helping with the various animals, picking berries and wild fruit and tending to the large garden. Sunday afternoons were for making homemade ice cream with the old hand-turned ice cream maker, a favorite treat for all the Martin clan.

After her school days were done Ruth took up the vocation of switchboard operator, working over the years in the Shellbrook, Leask and Marcelin offices. It was during this time that she met one John Bold, who presumably swept her off her feet, and on June 29^th, 1962, they were married.

Ruth joined John on his farm near Blaine Lake, where they lived during the farming season, while winters were spent in their home in Saskatoon. Life on the farm during the summer would best be described as rustic, as the small house they had there lacked both running water and electricity. Despite these drawbacks, Ruth always had ample and delicious meals at the ready for both themselves and any company that might happen along, as well as tending to chickens, geese, and a garden that could only be described as enormous. Ruth’s skills in the kitchen were unmatched, and John often said that Ruth’s cooking was why he was so big. Of course, such a large garden produced large amounts of produce, which Ruth would skillfully preserve, quite a task without running water.

But Ruth loved the farm, and nary a word of complaint was ever heard from her. Her devotion to John and the farm ran deep, and when there was work to be done or company to feed, Ruth quietly got on with the task at hand. Visits to the farm were always a delight for us nieces and nephews, and Ruth always had a smile and kind words for us, as well as seeming endless baking.

Ruth was a quiet lady, preferring to stay in the background, especially around larger groups of people. But with those she knew well, Ruth was an absolute delight who loved a good visit and who had an amazing sense of humor. The more you got to know her, the more she would open up to you and visiting with her was always a heartwarming experience.

Ruth was also a very loyal partner to John and would always accept whatever John decided without question. Her love for and trust in John ran deep. In her later years after John’s passing, she would still be concerned with what John would have wanted when decisions needed to be made. Adjusting to life without John was difficult, but she persevered and made a life in Saskatoon for many years, enjoying visits from family, trips to the mall with friends and especially a little bingo.

Ruth was rarely seen without a smile on her face and was always far more concerned with how others were doing rather than herself. If someone needed help, there was simply no question about it, Ruth would do whatever she could for them. Even in her final years at the care facility in Shellbrook, she would always want to offer visitors a coffee and a snack. She always kept her sense of humor as well, and when the mood was right, she would delight the staff with a put-on English accent, something we family had never heard. She loved to reminisce about the old days and visiting her was always a delight.

Ruth is lovingly remembered by her numerous nieces and nephews and cousins.

Ruth was predeceased by her husband John Bold; her parents Albert and Mary Martin; her brother and sister-in-law Ken and Mary Martin; her sister and brother-in-law Rineald and Norma Wall; her sister and brother-in-law Alex and Edna Galambus; her brother Gordon Martin; and her niece Laurie Gail Martin.

There will be a Graveside Service held for Ruth on Wednesday, July 17, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. from the Leask Cemetery with Rev. Emmanuel Aristide officiating. In lieu of tributes, memorial donations may be made in memory of Ruth to the Shellbrook & Districts Health Services Foundation, House C. Family and friends wishing to send online condolences are welcome to visit www.beaulacfuneralhome.com Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Beau “Lac” Funeral Home & Crematorium, Lori Saam, Funeral Director, Leask, SK 306-466-4822.