DEG - Ruth Marjorie "Marg" It is with profound sadness that the family of Ruth Marjorie Deg (Minifie) has passed away on November 20, 2025 at the amazing age of 98.  Mom was born in Vanguard on November 15, 1927 to Richard and Hilda Minifie.  She was the second of four children for Grandma and Grandpa and while her first name was Ruth, she was never called that.  She was Marj right from the start and did not enjoy being called Ruth. Mom was raised on the farm and attended Malvern Link school and completed her high school in Vanguard.  She then went on to take her nurses’ training in Calgary at the General Hospital and post graduate studies at St. Paul’s Hospital in Vancouver.  She married Dad on August 5, 1955 and after living in Swift Current for a year and a half they moved back to Vanguard to start farming. 

Mom was one of those strong women who wore many hats.  She was a mother to four, a farmer, a nurse, a wife and a volunteer within the community.  She grew a huge garden, worked cattle, farmed the land, raised their children and still found time to socialize, attend sporting events and was an avid curler.  She actually curled into her 80’s.  She continued to watch her favorite sporting teams, Blue Jays, Roughriders and any curling that was on TV right until it was time for her to join Dad.  And anyone who knew Dad would know that his first words to her would be “Dammit Marj, what took you so long?”

Mom leaves to cherish her memory her four children: Bruce Deg (Arlene), Thomas Deg, Maureen Brown (Bradley) and Melody Robertson (Michael).  She is survived by her Grandchildren: Heidi, Amber (Brett), Kaitlyn (Nick), Stephanie, Timothy (Stephanie), Amanda (James), Scott (Andrea), Jennifer (Paul), and Ty (Paige) and her Great Grandchildren: Logan, Emily, Teddy, Billie, Waylon, Tessa, Breanna, Wyatt, Jaxson, Kaybree, Berkley, Jacob, Korbin, Alida, Cutter, Colt, Conrad and Rory.  She is also survived by a brother-in-law, Bill Henderson and a sister-in-law, Daphne Minifie, numerous nieces and nephews and a very close family friend, Rick Percival and his family.

Mom was predeceased by her husband, Walter, her Granddaughter, Denny Lee Deg and Great Granddaughter, Desirae Marissa Deg., her parents, Richard and Hilda Minifie, siblings Beryl, James, and Rae, father and mother in laws, Jacob and Rebecca and in laws James Gallagher, Albert and Zelma Deg, Olga and George Miller, Freida and Frank Schupak, Emma and Dave Brossert, Elsie and Merle Uhrich, Bertha and Ed Unrau, and Otto Deg.

Our family would like to thank the Bentley in Swift Current for being so great with Mom while she lived there.  As well, Foyer St Joseph’s Nursing Home in Ponteix, where Mom spent her last months.  Both facilities were amazing and Mom found a home in both places.  We would also like to thank Parkside Memorial Funeral Home for their kindness and support.

Mom did not want anything fancy so there will be no service, instead we, as a family will gather in June to celebrate her life, reminisce and shed a few tears along with much laughter to honour a woman who showed us what strength, humour and love looks like.  Mom will be laid to rest with Dad at the Vanguard Cemetery at that time.  Memorial donations in Mom’s name can be made to: Foyer St. Joseph Nursing Home – 428 2nd Ave Ponteix, SK S0N 1Z0 or to Vanguard Rec Board c/o Village of Vanguard.