Vivian Ruth Balog was born on February 24, 1926 at Yorkton, SK; a daughter of Grace (nee McIntosh) and Thomas Brown. She was raised and received her education in Yorkton. As a young woman, Ruth began employment with Yorkton greenhouses. At a family get together at Indian Head, Ruth met Leslie Balog, a school teacher and the couple were married at Kipling, SK on May 4, 1957. The couple resided in Kipling and then at Kennedy, SK where they farmed and also owned and operated an International Harvester dealership. The family relocated to Yorkton in 1975, where they had since resided. Upon their return to Yorkton, Ruth returned to working for the McKeeman family at Yorkton Florists, a job she had held some years previous before her marriage. Leslie passed away in 1987 and following that time Ruth was able to maintain her independence for many years to come. In 2009 as her health began to decline, Ruth became a resident of the Lakeside Manor Care Home in Saltcoats, where she passed away on September 18, 2015. She was 89 years of age. Ruth will be remembered for her life-long love of sports, she participated in her younger years and enjoyed watching on television in her later years. Besides her husband Les, she was predeceased by seven brothers: Clifford, Earl, Charlie, Gordon, Ronald, Clarence and Lorne Brown. She leaves to cherish her memory her two sons: Peter of Yorkton - daughters: Shannon (Kelly) Simms of Saskatoon, Ashlee (Ellan) Gilespie of Calgary; Mark (Donna) of Yorkton - son Liam, daughter Gracie. Great-grandchildren Olivia, Tae, Carter, Makai & Isabella. Also her sister: Loretta Kady of Airdrie, AB; and her brother Fredrick (Yvonne) of Indian Head. Numerous nieces, nephews and her many other relatives and friends. The interment of Ruth's ashes took place in the Yorkton City Cemetery on Saturday afternoon, September 26, 2015 at 1:00 pm. A Memorial Service to honour Ruth's life was held at 2:00 pm at the Yorkton Memorial Gardens Family Center with Crystal Bailey, B.Th. officiating. Hymns played were 'Amazing Grace' and 'In the Garden'. A memorial luncheon and fellowship followed. Memorials in Ruth's name may be made to the Heart & Stroke Foundation or to the Diabetes Society. Condolences may be left at baileysfuneralhome.com.
