Obituary of Ruth Viola Jutzi

Jutzi, Ruth Viola

Mom passed away peacefully surrounded by the love of her family on November 30, three days after we celebrated her 99th birthday with her. She was predeceased by her husband Rufus in 2011 and is survived by her children, Collin (Marnie), Terry (Judith), Tom (Nancy), Marj (Doug) Richard, Dave (Joanne), 16 grandchildren and 21 great grandchildren.

Mom was born in Kitchener on November 27, 1919 the second child of Jacob and Wilhelmina (Krueger) Good. She was predeceased by her parents, her brothers Ira (Ruth) and Earl (Jean), her parents-in-law Simeon and Leah (Gascho) Jutzi, her brothers-in-law Wallace (Mary), Curtis and Nyle (Pat). She is survived by her sister-in-law Lauretta.

Mom looked after us well. Her manner quietly assured us that everything will work out and many of the worrying issues of the day are really not that significant. We liked that she enjoyed some misbehavior. We also liked that she could sometimes see humour when others could not. She encouraged us in our schooling. We remember her singing lullabies to us at night to the tune of the hymn “Love Lifted Me”. She was a master crokinole player. It was fun when uncle Earl would visit to take her on. In retrospect, we really do not know how she possibly managed all the cooking, cleaning, laundry, gardening, canning, baking, peeling potatoes etc. and then pulled off the spectacular Sunday noon dinners at which guests were invariably present.

Mom was generally reserved and did not frequently articulate her views. She relied on her intuition and private thoughts to make her decisions.  We never heard her say an unkind word about anyone. She never complained. Her actions and reactions demonstrated humility and thankfulness. She had a passion for helping new Canadians many of whom ended up calling her mother or grandmother. In the latter years she often sang when we visited, usually hymns but also the boisterous rally song of her alma mater, KCI.

Mom participated widely in church and community events. Her family of origin was not Mennonite although her father had Mennonite background. When our father quite suddenly was called to pastor the Floradale Mennonite Church in 1951, the role expected of a Mennonite pastor’s wife at that time was added to Mom’s responsibilities. This was not easy for her. Her life became busier and less private. She had four young children with a fifth to follow in a few years. There were many cultural changes. How should I style my hair? How conservatively should I dress? She was affirmed in all this by the supporting words and actions of many kind and thoughtful parishioners which we still remember and will cherish forever.

Thank you, mom, for modelling courage. Thank you for loving us, our spouses, our children and grandchildren without judgement. Thank you to everyone who provided love and friendship to mom over the years including during her later years in Assisted Living at Fairview Mennonite Home and Long-Term Care at Breithaupt House, Columbia Forest.

Funeral arrangements have been made through the Erb & Good Family Funeral Home. Visitation will take place at the funeral home at 171 King Street South Waterloo on Wednesday December 5, 2018 from 3 – 6 pm. A public funeral service will be held at the Preston Mennonite Church, 791 Concession Road, Cambridge Ontario officiated by Rev. Gary Knarr on Thursday, December 6, 2018 at 11 am. Refreshments will follow. A private family interment will take place at the Hagey Cemetery, Cambridge, at a later date.

Condolences for the family and expressions of sympathy by way of donation to MCC (Ontario) refugee resettlement program can be made through the funeral home www.erbgood.com or 519-745-8445.