Norma “Ruth” Leibrand Harris, 95, passed away Friday, January 30, 2015 at the Faith Home in Wolf Point.
Ruth was born November 3, 1919 in Verwood, Saskatchewan to Sanford and Winifred (Mehsling) Leibrand. Her family moved to Scobey, Mt. to farm in the spring of 1929. While at Scobey, she graduated from high school and embraced the story of the gospel which was her first love for the rest of her life. These years were known by many farmers in NE Montana as the “Dirty 30’s”, and along with the great depression, made farming difficult. In 1937 the Leibrand family moved west to Kalispell to start a new occupation. It was there she met her husband Alva. They married in Whitefish on June 1, 1943. They then moved to Spokane where Alva worked on a dairy. It wasn’t long before Alva was offered a job on the Jacobsen farm in Froid, Mt., and they headed east again. Ruth consented to the move with some reservations, hoping they would not again experience years in the 30’s. While farming in that area, three sons were born. In 1950 they began farming in the Sunnyside, Nickwall community where their fourth son was born. They farmed in Nickwall until February 1973 when Alva passed away. Ruth loved helping out on the farm, and she made sure her family was well taken care of. She spent the last 35 years of her life in her own home in Wolf Point. She loved spending time with her children and grandchildren and working in her yard and garden. Ruth also cared for children in her home, loving them like her own grandchildren. She loved having Sunday morning fellowship meetings in her home for those 35 years.
Ruth was preceded in death by her husband Alva, son Leonard, three sisters; Margaret Braaten, Blanche Brist, Muriel McDonald and twin brothers Bob and George Leibrand.
Ruth is survived by: her sons, Lloyd (Susie) of Bozeman, Larry of Wolf Point, and Marvin of Great Falls, 12 grandchildren and 25 great-grandchildren, her sister Eileen Reed of Oregon, her brother Albert of Oregon.
Funeral services will be held at the Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel in Wolf Point on Saturday, February 7 at 11:00 a.m. with Eldon Coles and Julia Brist officiating. Visitation will be held at Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel from 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. directly preceding the service Saturday February 7.
Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel of Wolf Point has been entrusted with the arrangements.
Condolences for the family may be left at www.claytonstevensonchapel.com. Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel is assisting the family with arrangements.
Service Schedule
Visitation
10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
Saturday February 7, 2015
Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel
102 Custer Street
Wolf Point, Montana 59201
Funeral Service
11:00 a.m.
Saturday February 7, 2015
Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel
102 Custer Street
Wolf Point, Montana 59201
Interment
Saturday February 7, 2015
Greenwood Cemetery
738 Listerud
Wolf Point, Montana 59201
Service Schedule
Visitation
10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
Saturday February 7, 2015
Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel
102 Custer Street
Wolf Point, Montana 59201
Funeral Service
11:00 a.m.
Saturday February 7, 2015
Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel
102 Custer Street
Wolf Point, Montana 59201
Interment
Saturday February 7, 2015
Greenwood Cemetery
738 Listerud
Wolf Point, Montana 59201
Minnie (Murray) Scholze says
Special thoughts to all of Ruth’s family…many special memories of her and Alva…know they are missed but glad we know they have gone on to that which is far better. Marv & Minnie Scholze
Bill and Kris Sampson says
So sorry to hear of Ruth’s passing. We lived by Ruth for over 15 years when we lived on E. Indian St. Loved to go over and visit with her….such a special caring lady. Our prayers to her family.
Bill and Kris Sampson, Bozeman MT
Duane and Colette Steinbrecher says
Sorry to hear Ruth is gone but know she’s Home now. She will be greatly missed. My mother Letha Lee knew Ruth from their childhood days in Skoby, Mt and I wish she could be there for the funeral but she is in nursing ho.e in Williston. Ruth was a wonderful woman and I feel honored to have known her.
Marilyn Kujath says
My thoughts are with all the family of Ruth Harris. I have wonderful memories of times of fellowship with Ruth. Know that she has gone on to that which she had lived for, she loved the Lord with all her heart, and now has gone on to better things. Know that you are all in our hearts and are thinking of you. How, I would love to be there for the funeral, will be in spirit.
Linda Hockaday says
Dear Ruth was a special lady to sooo many. How could you help but love her!! So privileged to have known her and had such good visits. My love and care to all her wonderful family!!
Carin and Russ Barnett says
We are happy that we had the priveledge to have met Ruth and to have been able to meet with her on Sunday mornings. She will be missed.
Carin and Russ B
Allen and Jane Svalstad says
Thinking of you all with loving sympathy. What a special privilege to have known all your dear family. Many special memories since that first time in ’64 when Alva and Marvin came through a blizzard to Circle to get me for Sp. Mtg. I was student teaching. Just one example of the love and care shown by your whole family. She will be sorely missed by all of us who had the privilege of knowing her.
Linda Zosel says
Thinking of all the family saying farewell to a faithful mother and grandmother. We’re thankful for her life that resulted in us having a wonderful daughter-in-law.
Karen (Murray) Zbylski says
Ruth & Alva were very special people in our growing up years. Though she will be missed it is not such a sad day when you know what she believed and stood for. Thoughts with all the family.
Penny Good Schikora says
Sorry to hear of Ruth’s passing and my thoughts are with her family at this time. My folks were good friends over the years and I have fond memories of visiting with her. She was a very sweet lady. Always cherish the many memories you have of your time with her.
Claude and Karen Adamson says
Ruth will be remembered by so many of us and one of many sweet and kind ladies of her generation. She was a wonderful example. Our thoughts are with the family.
Marvin and Judy Ferdina says
To Larry and family,
So sorry to hear of your Mom’s passing. We will remember her for being such a good
friend to Uncle Wilbur.
You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Judy and Marvin
Janelle (Henke) Buell says
Ruth was a dear lady. Thinking of you. Harold, Janelle, Cody & Amber Buell
Sandra Sather-Westley says
The Sun on Nickwall Road
I felt her spirit before we met.
It had touched me
in the bungalow on Nickwall Road,
in the house
she and Alva had raised their boys.
I had walked into that old abandoned house,
next door to mine,
it still permeates with the warmth
from the past,
though frosty outside.
The sun brightly shines through the southwest kitchen window,
where she had cooked for those four boys–
four boys in a two bedroom bungalow.
Later she said
she had put a cloth over the center vent
on the living room floor
when the coal was lit–
coal they had hauled from the breaks–
to suppress black coal dust.
She told me it had been a drafty old house,
that bungalow on Nickwall Road.
Her best story of all was
of the cat with the ring on its tail
running under the garage–
the ring now forever lost.
The rhubarb she planted
thrives yet
from her green thumb and fueled by the sun.
She said she worried about the boys when they led
cows down the lane
where she could not see.
She spoke of helping clear the fields of rock.
I saw the photo of her and Alva,
who stand in the green fields
she had helped to clear.
The photo catches the art of their life:
with a little house on the prairie they had
transplanted
onto a new foundation,
with a new chimney,
Alva had built,
and which she kept warm by her eternal inner glow.
Craig and Rene Parish says
Another faithful soul has been called home. We loved what Ruth did to encourage us when we were in the ministry. Her home was a wonderful haven. She will be remembered with much love in our hearts.
Velma Marsh Hansen says
My parents were close friends of the Liabrands and I have known Ruth all of my life!! She was a dear lady and I always enjoyed our friendship. She will be missed but has gone on to the better place. She and her sisters were very close friends of my mothers. They corresponded by mail real often so kept in close touch even though their family moved west and we moved to NoDak.
Mike & Lois Hankins says
Larry & family,
We just learned of Ruth’s passing, and I don’t know how to begin to express the love we had for your mother. We lived across the street from her on E. Indian St., and she watched our two boys for us when they were young. We now live in Wyoming, but we stopped to visit her a few times on our trips back to Montana. She was always so happy to see us. Our youngest son passed away in 2008, and Ruth was there at the funeral in Wolf Point. I know his death broke her heart as well as ours. What a beautiful, beautiful soul she was, so full of love for all who were lucky enough to be part of her life. We will cherish forever our memories of the times we shared with her. May she rest forever in God’s loving arms.
Pam Shambaugh says
Dear Larry, Lloyd, Susie and families,
So sorry for your loss. Enjoyed my time in Ruth’s home when I was in that field in 1977-1979. I attended Paul Richey’s funeral in Ukiah, CA the same day as Ruth’s funeral. He was married to Mary Trevithick.
Take care,
Pam Shambaugh
nee: Stovern
Pam Shambaugh says
Thinking of you all!