Ruth Pletsch passed away peacefully on Friday, January 16th, 2026 surrounded by love at the Palliative Care Unit of the South Bruce Grey Health Centre (Walkerton) in her 88th year.
Her family is most grateful for the compassionate care provided by the staff and Doctor Michael Gill.
Ruth was born to Henry and Estella Pfohl on September 19th, 1938 in Carrick Township. She often shared fond memories of her early life spent on the farm. Her family moved to Mildmay when she was eight years old.
While attending high school, Ruth worked summers and weekends at the Mildmay restaurant and saved enough money to buy her first vehicle, a Volkswagen Beetle.
After graduating from Stratford Teachers’ College, she began her teaching career in Kitchener in 1958. At an Old Boys Reunion in Mildmay that summer she met the love of her life George Pletsch. Ruth’s marriage to George in 1960 returned her to rural life southwest of Walkerton.
There they welcomed four girls and created a family unit built on faith, love, humility and a strong work ethic.
In addition to raising a family, Ruth made time for sewing, knitting, crocheting, rug hooking, gardening and preserving.
Ruth joined the South Line Brant Women’s Institute in 1994 where she made lifelong friends.
One of Ruth’s favourite memories was yearly summer cottage time with her
daughters and her sister’s family. She also enjoyed her annual cousins’ reunion.
Ruth was a kind, generous and humble woman who valued family. She loved researching her roots through Ancestry online. She used her iPad to stay in touch with family and friends and complete daily crosswords. Ruth was an avid curling fan.
Ruth will forever be cherished and lovingly remembered by her daughters: Jane (John), Donna, Linda and Ruth Ann (Dave); her sister Mary Ann (Reg) Goold and their children Dan (Chantal), Matt (Karen) and Andrea (Kent); her great nephew Nathan (Arley) and great niece Alexie.
Ruth is predeceased by her husband George, brother-in-law Lloyd and sister-in-law Doris Pletsch, nephew Larry, great nephew Mike and great niece Shawna.
She will be fondly remembered by Lloyd and Doris’ children Elroy (Pat), Marion (John) and Sharon (Marlin), great nephews Jeff (Kelli), Paul (Mabel), great nieces Crystal (Ben), Kaylee, Victoria (Andrew), Rachel (Trevor) and several great-great nieces and nephews.
The following excerpt is from a letter written by Ruth. It exemplifies how she lived her life:
“… be kind and treat others the way you want to be treated …”
A private service has taken place with her immediate family.
Friends and relatives are invited to visitation from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Friday, April 17, 2026, at Cameron’s in Walkerton. A memorial service for Ruth will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at St. Paul’s United Church, Walkerton. Reception to follow in the church hall.
A donation to the Walkerton & District Hospital Foundation or a charity of your choice would be greatly appreciated as an expression of your sympathy. Donations and condolences may be made online at www.cameronfuneralhomes.com
