Ruth Zimmer

Ruth Marion Elizabeth Zimmer

Ruth passed away on Tuesday, March 31, 2020 at the Roblin Hospital at the age of 90 years. She was born June 30, 1929 in Winnipeg, MB to Edward and Elizabeth (Bach) Mohr.

She spent her early years in Winnipeg at 526 Redwood Ave. She attended and was baptized into her faith at St. John’s Lutheran Church College on McKenzie Avenue. Her early education was at Ralph Brown Elementary on Andrews.

In 1940 her family moved to Shevlin. She lived her early years on the farm with her mother, Gordon, Eleanor and Gerald. Much of the work and chores were left for Ruth and Gordon to do as her father worked in the city as a printer and would travel back and forth. During those weekend visits, two more girls, Judy and Marilyn, were added to the family. She continued her education at Shell Vale School in Shevlin. She attended St. John’s Lutheran Church in Shevlin and was confirmed in 1943.

She worked at home on the farm and helped raise her sisters, Marilyn and Judy.

She met Julius Frederick Zimmer and were married on October 21, 1950. They moved to Inglis where they farmed and started their family. On August 25, 1951, Wayne Douglas Edward was born. Things were tough, money was scarce and there was no milk for the baby as their only milk cow choked and died.

Those early years, Mrs. Ida (Fred) Edel was a great source support and mentor to Ruth. She taught her how to cook, can and bake and was her go-to person.

Then November 2, 1953 Ruth and Julius welcomed a son, Dean-Alan Frederick to the family and were blessed with another son, Grant Alexander, May 19, 1958. They continued farming and raised their family in Inglis until the summer of 1963.

Julius moved the family to Shortdale where they purchased the store, known as “Zimmer’s Highway Store”, on Highway #5 and #584.

For many years, Ruth worked hard in the store, tending the yard and garden, keeping house, taking care of animals and of course she did all this while raising a family.

To keep the children on task and occupied she would tell them about growing up in Winnipeg and about her parents and grandparents, giving them a sense of both the Mohr and Zimmer family history.

She was always the peacemaker and the glue that held the family together. She would talk about, when they could afford to, going to get the boys a sister. Finally, after a little over two years the family drove to Winnipeg and on December 1967, added Shaunna-Lee Lisa to the family. Now Ruth considered her family to be complete. They lived at the store for 13 years and developed many lifelong friendships and relationships within the community.

In 1976, the family moved to Roblin. Ruth finally had her dream home, but after a few years they purchased a country home in Shevlin, where Julius still lives. Being back the in the country was better for the whole family.

Ruth had her house and was always making improvements, sometimes without Julius knowing until it came time to pay!

Ruth enjoyed her yard, garden and flowers. Ruth always kept busy and became the family babysitter. Grandchildren were dropped off in the mornings and picked up after work. Ruth made sure her family was fed, safe, loved, rested and disciplined. She taught them respect and love and made sure everyone knew “Charlie Brown”. She most certainly made sure that everyone would have a popsicle or a revel at the end of the day.

When the last of the grandchildren were grown and independent she joined the workforce and was finally able to receive her own paycheque. She worked with Gladys and Clara at the Roblin Motor Inn and then later joined the team at Parkland Cleaners.

She loved to travel and thought nothing of travelling across the country by Greyhound. She made many trips with Shaunna-Lee and later Mackenzie. She would frequently visit family in Winnipeg and stay with them.

Family was very important to Ruth. She lived for her children and felt lost without her grandchildren close by.

She had the ability to make one feel special, loved and like her favorite!

Everyone went to her for guidance, comfort and support. Her advice and beliefs have been ingrained in her children and passed down to her grandchildren. She was the resource for information, encouragement and support; a true matriarch of our family.

She raised four children, was grandmother to 11 grandchildren and 25 great-grandchildren.

She had 36 nieces and nephews and now many have added yet another generation to add to her legacy.

She was predeceased by her parents, Edward and Elizabeth Mohr; brothers, Gordon Mohr and Gerald Mohr; nephews, Delby Zimmer and Lloyd Zimmer; nieces, Kimberly Case and Clara Czarnecki; brother in laws, Alex Mohr, Lawrence, Robert and Bert Zimmer as well as Hewitt Quick; sister-in-law’s Wilma Wagner, Clara Mohr, Alvina Quick, Anne Mohr, Elizabeth and Margerite Zimmer; granddaughter, Autumn Dae Zimmer.

Left to mourn her passing, her husband of 69 years, five months, and 10 days, Julius Zimmer; sons, Wayne  (Denise), Dean-Alan and Adrienne, Grant, and daughter, Shaunna-Lee Johanson; sisters, Eleanor Zimmer, Judy (Brian) New, Marilyn (Ziggy Backlarz; grandchildren Candice (Jun) Infantado, Cory (Bobbi-Jo) Zimmer, Faye (Chad) Jones, Quentin Zimmer, Deana Haas Zimmer, Ecko Zimmer, Logan Zimmer, Jolene (Kolby Chan) Zimmer, Mackenzie Zimmer, Connor Johanson and their families.

In the summer of 2016 Ruth moved into Crocus Court Personal Care Home and resided there until her passing March 31, 2020 with her family by her side. She was a Christian, believed in her Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, made peace with God and was ready to go.

Ruth will be greatly missed, never forgotten and always loved. Her family will never forget all that Ruth has taught them, the strength she gave them, the hope, support and wisdom and the morals and values she has instilled in them.

There are not enough hours in a day to express how much she is loved and already missed. Her family feels overwhelmed with grief and sadness, but while these emotions may continue for some time, the memories each of them has of Ruth will last in their hearts forever. God bless you.

 A celebration of life will be held at a later date.

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