Ruth Cronkhite

Ruth Cronkhite, age 93, passed away peacefully on November 25, 2020 at the Chinook Regional Hospital.

Ruth’s smile, her kind and loving soul will be greatly missed by her beloved husband of 73 years, Tom (Thomas) Cronkhite of Lethbridge, her precious children, Barry (Marj) Cronkhite of Warner, Wayne (Denise) Cronkhite of Maple Creek, SK, Dale (Heather) Cronkhite of Lethbridge and Jayna (Grant) Staples of Coaldale, her 8 adoring grandchildren, Alisa (Chris) Thomas, Traci (Robert) Stelten, Jenny (Richard) Seward, Conner Cronkhite, Michelle Cronkhite, Tyler (Tenille) Cronkhite, Travis (Blaire) Staples and Garrett Staples. Ruth also blessed the lives of 10 great grandchildren.

Ruth was born to Oscar Allan and Emma Erickson in their family farm house near Wrentham, Alberta on February 15, 1927. It was here that she grew up surrounded by 5 sisters and a brother. After finishing secondary school, Ruth attended Calgary Normal School and became a teacher. She taught at the Stirling School for one year to a class of 40 students including 4 Japanese students that were just learning English!

She then married her sweetheart, Tom Cronkhite, in 1947 after he returned from his service in the RCAF during World War II. Their marriage was one to admire, as they were truly devoted to one another in love and friendship. Together they raised their family, 4 sons and a daughter, while farming and ranching in the New Dayton, Alberta area.

Ruth and Tom spent a lot of time in Waterton Lakes National Park camping and fishing on Cameron Lake. They spent 11 winters in Mesa, Arizona “snow birding” and enjoying golf, square dancing and socializing. They also took many bus trips together in their later senior years. Ruth loved to visit with her family and friends and had an amazing knack for remembering details. There was no need to look things up in a history book when Ruth was around! Family was of great importance to Ruth, she enjoyed being surrounded by her loved ones as much as possible. Hosting amazing family dinners was a specialty of hers, always carried out with style and grace.

Ruth was preceded in death by her parents, her son Roger Allan Cronkhite, daughter-in-law Betty Ann Cronkhite, and 3 sisters, Donna Bowerman, Cheryl Ann Erickson and Betty Rockenbach. Ruth is survived by 3 siblings, Gail Jensen, Lorna Hintze and David Erickson.

A special thank you to the staff that cared for her at St. Therese Villa and the Chinook Regional Hospital.

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