Ruth Rieger, resident of Grande Prairie, passed away on Monday, March 1, 2021, at Prairie Lake Seniors Community, at the age of 94 years.

She was born on April 28, 1926, in High Prairie, AB, to Georgina and Bill Sutherland. Ruth moved with her family to the Simonette in 1936. She completed high school in Grande Prairie and then attended the University of Alberta, where she obtained her teaching certificate, after which she returned to teach in the one-room schoolhouse in Ridgevalley, AB.

Ruth married Andy Rieger on January 1, 1949. Together, they farmed in the Crooked Creek and Simonette areas, and she taught full-time until she started her family, and continued to substitute teach for many years. In their spare time, Ruth and Andy were busy with community activities and travelling. In 1996, they retired from the farm and moved to Grande Prairie, where they continued to enjoy camping and spending time with their family.

She was famous among her family for her cupcakes and blankets. She loved gardening, crossword puzzles, and above all, playing endless games and spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Her memory will live on with her children: Roger (Anne) Rieger, Ken (Laurrie) Rieger, Doug (Margaret) Rieger, Barb (Rick) Johnston, and Cheryl (Tom) Hibner; grandchildren: Nicki (Lance), Jodi (Chris), Angela (Mark), Sean (Michelle), Brad (Wendy), Kim, Andrew (Brandy), Erin, Jana, Grant (Leanne), Jordi and Ben; great-grandchildren: Josh, Alex, Christian, Zack, DJ, Brady, Breanna, Dominik, Katarina, Morgan, Hannah, Tannis, Quinn, Kaiden, Dominic, Callie, Haviland, Amelia, Quinn, Kaiden, Emily, Rylee and Carson.

Ruth was predeceased by her husband Andy Rieger; parents Bill and Georgina Sutherland; and brother Bob.

The family would like to give their sincerest gratitude to the staff on the Arbour Hills floor for their kindness and care given to their Mom and Grandma in her last years.

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, a private family service and interment will be held at Rosedale Cemetery on Friday, March 5, 2021, at 11:00am.

For those who wish to view the service live, a livestream will be available to view on Ruth’s obituary page on her obituary page on Oliver’s Funeral Home website prior to the start of the service.