Ruth Sanjenko

It is with sadness that we announce the peaceful passing of our mother, grandmother, great- grandmother and friend on the afternoon of May 13, 2025.

Ruth was born on January 15, 1931, in the small municipality of Bonnie Doone, MB, and grew up with her siblings Gunnar, Harold, and Winnie. She went to school and completed grade 9, before out of necessity, joining the workforce to help the family.  Working in various logging camps, she honed her cooking skills at a young age.  At Johnson’s camp, in Burns Lake, BC, she met Michael Sanjenko, a handsome logging truck driver, and they married in September 1952.  In 1953, they welcomed their first child, Linda. Subsequently, their family grew to include five additional children:   Brian, Lyle, Gerald, Gerry, and Charlene.   Ruth spent a lot of time canning and preserving the produce from the garden to provide for her family.   She tirelessly mended, darned, did laundry, baked bread, and made ginger snaps without complaint, all while working for a produce co-op at Grandview Flats.

Ruth was a quiet and kind individual, not a woman of many words.  She enjoyed playing the guitar and singing and busied herself with word puzzles and picture puzzles. Ruth was devoted to her faith and church family.  Visits with family were the highlight of her life. 

Ruth was fiercely independent until entering the hospital two weeks before her passing.  She was often seen having lunch with her friends at the Legion, running errands such as picking up groceries and paying her bills.  When asked on the phone how she was, her response was always “Good”.  Each phone call ended with “Love you”.

We will miss you.   Rest peacefully our beloved mother, grandmother, and great- grandmother.  We love you.

Ruth is survived by her daughters, Linda and Charlene, as well as her sons, Brian, Lyle, Gerald, and Gerry, along with their respective families.

A service honouring Ruth will be held on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, at 2:00 pm at the Grandview Flats Seventh Day Adventist Church (4478 Grandview Flats Rd Armstrong, BC).

As an expression of sympathy, those who wish to do so may send donations to the Vernon Jubilee Hospital in Vernon, BC. 

Arrangements entrusted to

Cypress Funeral & Cremation Services 250-546-7237

Condolences may be expressed to the family by phone or email through Cypress Funeral & Cremation Services: