SMITH, Ruth Caroline
July 17, 1931 - October 12, 2012

Ruth Caroline Smith of Tilley, Alberta passed away in Medicine Hat, Alberta on October 12th, 2012 at the age of 81 years. Born on July 17th, 1931 in Drumheller and received her education there. Ruth married Frank Smith on November 11th, 1950 in Drumheller and also resided there. She volunteered at the Salvation Army Thrift Store for many years and attended women’s group at the church. Ruth moved to Tilley with her 2 younger children and her grandchild in 1980 to be closer to her family and has resided there since. She will be remembered for her kindness, generosity and her stubbornness. Ruth was loved by everyone who knew her. She lived for her children. Ruth loved her family, especially her grandchildren, music, reading and her TV shows. She was predeceased by her parents Louis and Florence Double and her stepfather Jack Gardner. Ruth is survived by her loving family, 8 children, Jack (Ona Alexander) of Moose Jaw, Margaret (Fred) Tabert of Drumheller, Ruth (Bill) Adams of Drumheller, Bev (Doug) Wiebe of Patricia, Carol (Mark) Charlton of Tilley, Susan Mardian (Reuben Entz) of Tilley, Donna (Robert) Kleinsasser of Brooks and Tish (Carl) Gordon of Kerrobert, Sk. and numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren. Funeral services were held on Tuesday, October 16th at 2:00 PM from Smith Memorial Chapel, Brooks, Alberta. Rev. Daniel Peters officiated. Honorary Pallbearers were Doug Wiebe, Mark Charlton, Ona Alexander and Bill Adams. Active Pallbearers were Jack Smith, Robert Kleinsasser, Fred Tabert, Carl Gordon, Reuben Entz and Justin Kleinsasser. Interment followed at Brooks Cemetery. In memory of Ruth, if friends desire, memorial tributes may be to Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation – Alberta Chapter, #322, 10909 Jasper Avenue, Edmonton, Alberta T5J 0W7. Funeral arrangements in care of SMITH FUNERAL HOME, BROOKS, ALBERTA. Condolences may be forwarded through www.sfh.ca Telephone 403-362-4636 or Toll Free (866) 362-4652.

    Three residents who have continued to show strong support for the community have been honoured with the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal.
    Heather Colberg, Fred Makowecki, and Bob Hannah were nominated by Mayor Terry Yemen for the honour. Friday, Yemen learned all three were approved to receive medals.
    Heather Colberg’s service to the valley has not gone unnoticed. She was named the 2010 Citizen of the year. Her service is varied; from involvement with local sports teams to supporting Rotary endeavours and the Morgan Jayne Project.  About half-dozen years ago she took over as the organizer of the annual Christmas Food Drive for the local food bank. With her leadership skills she is able to motivate dozens of volunteers to canvass Drumheller and surrounding communities to replenish shelves of the food bank for Christmas and beyond.
    A couple years ago, recognizing the need throughout the year for support of the Food Bank, she began Stuff the Bus. This has become a successful endeavour in its own right.
    Fred Makowecki has also been an important part of the community, but in 2006 he turned a tragedy into a lifeline for literally thousands of people in Roatan who are facing life with AIDS.
    As a tribute to his daughter Morgan Jayne, who passed way at only 18 years of age, he founded the Morgan Jayne Project to help supply infant formula to babies in Roatan to curb the spread of AIDS from mother to child. It has gone on to become so much more. The Morgan Jayne Project was crucial to help establish a clinic for babies in the area, and now supports schooling. It also completes an annual Christmas Wish List for families that would never have the means to celebrate Christmas let alone a visit from St. Nick.
    Makowecki is honoured and humbled by the selection and says the award is great for the project, but should also be shared with everyone in the community who has helped support the cause.
    Bob Hannah has dedicated many years to serving the community, especially those who fought for Canada.  Some of his service included working with the local Cadet Corp RCSCC Furious.  He was also the president of the Drumheller and District Fish and Game Association.
    The majority of his work however has been with the Legion. He was elected as District Commander of the Alberta/NWT Command for one term, then chairman for two terms, vice president for one before going on to become president. He is a recipient of the Queen’s Golden Jubilee Medal, the Alberta Centennial Medal and the Minster of Veterans Affairs Commendation.