| Sources |
- [S144] Obituary of Helen Mary RUZICKA, (Name: Edmonton Journal; Location: Edmonton, Alberta, Canada; Date: 3 Aug 2008;).
RUZICKA, Helen Mary (nee Simon) 1917 - 2008 Our much loved Mom and Granny passed away in Viking, AB on August 1, 2008 at the age of 90. She will be greatly missed by her son Fred and daughter-in-law Patricia; her daughter-in law Janet; her granddaughters Kelly (Trent), Carrie, Lesley (Paul) and Wendy (Ian); her great-grandchildren Matthew, Cayla, Ryan, and Kate; her large extended family; and many friends. She was also dearly loved by the Cunningham family as their ``Canadian Granny``. She was predeceased by her husband Ed, to whom she was married for 53 years, in 1994, and by her son, Stan, in 2003. Helen was born and grew up in Killam, AB. She was proud to have received her nursing degree at Edmonton General Hospital. After marrying Ed in 1941, she became a Viking resident and supported Ed as ``Ruzicka Trucking`` grew. She was tremendously proud of her sons and their families and their accomplishments throughout life. She was a wonderful cook and entertainer, an accomplished gardener, and a keen card player. She loved to welcome people into her home. Helen loved to travel and was always up for an adventure. She had a tremendously positive outlook and saw beauty wherever she looked. Helen derived much comfort from her faith. She was a long-time parishioner at Holy Heart of Mary Catholic Church in Viking and a member of the Catholic Women's League. A Prayer Vigil will be held on Monday, August 4th at 7:00 p.m. at the Holy Heart of Mary Catholic Church in Viking. A funeral service will be held Tuesday, August 5th at 11:00 a.m. at the Holy Heart of Mary. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Vialta Lodge (Alta-Vi or Club 93) where Helen lived happily amongst friends for 7 years. Viking Funeral Services Ltd. 1-780-336-4842
- [S300] Viking in Progress, Volume II, (Name: Viking History Book Committee; Location: Viking, Alberta, Canada; Date: 1991;), Page 893, EDWARD RUZICKA FAMILY by Helen Ruzicka.
Ed married Helen Simon from Killam... in 1941.
- [S1216] Obituary of Henry Joseph RUZICKA, (Name: Viking Funeral Services; Location: Viking, Beaver, Alberta, Canada; Date: Abt. 25 Feb 2023;).
Henry Joseph Ruzicka
August 29 th , 1927 – February 23 rd , 2023
Henry Ruzicka, a beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend, passed away peacefully at the Viking Extendicare on February 23, 2023 at the age of 95.
Henry was born in Viking, Alberta on August 29, 1927, to parents John and Emily Ruzicka.
Henry grew up on a farm southwest of Viking in the Prague District. He loved the farm life, from a very young age he took an interest in horses, soon after he started buying, selling and training them. His favorite breed of course was Percherons.
On May 26, 1953, Henry married the love of his life, Gina Petrzelka. They were married for 69 years and together they had 5 children, Shirley, Cathy, John, Karen and Gord. His calm demeanour and fun-loving personality made him a wonderful husband, father, and
grandfather. All the children and grandchildren have numerous loving stories all demonstrating his gentle nature and love of his family. Many memories were made and lessons learned from working with him and the horses on the farm. Henry made sure each child had a saddle horse to ride around the farm, in shows and at 4H events. The family’s summers were filled with showing their 6-horse hitch at fairs and parades all around Alberta, including Klondike Days and the Calgary Stampede. During the remainder of the year Henry loved thrashing, feeding cattle, and giving sleigh rides to family, friends, and various clubs. When Gord and John took over showing the Percherons, Henry and Gina loved to attend these shows with them to help out
and cheer them on.
Henry enjoyed spending time with his family and friends, he always made sure everyone knew they were welcome to stop by for a coffee, meal or a family gathering, the more the merrier. Every visit included some time for telling jokes, as he loved to make everyone laugh!
Over the years Henry, Gina and their family enjoyed trips to Montana, Las Vegas, Banff, B.C. and Disneyland.
Henry belonged to the Viking Ag Society, the Percheron Association and the Viking Knights of Columbus.
Henry and Gina lived on the family farm until 2007 when they retired and bought a house in Viking. In 2017 Henry moved into the Viking Extendicare.
Henry will remain forever in the hearts of his wife Gina, children Shirley (Gord) Reithmayer, John (Karen) Ruzicka, Karen (Rob) Thompson, Gord (Shannon) Ruzicka, his grandchildren Benjie (Joan) Jacobson, Wanda (Mark) Loades, Stacey Ruzicka (Shane), Nikki Fossum, Whitney Langton, Cody Thompson, Megan Thompson, Blayne Ruzicka, Nicole (Cody) Woodbury, Dailynn Ruzicka, Halley Ruzicka, 10 great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.
Henry was predeceased by his daughter Cathy, parents John and Emily, brothers Ed (Helen), Lou (Molly) and Eugene (Margaret), sisters Clara (Art) Lansing and Agnes (Leo) Palek.
The Mass of Christian Burial was held on Saturday March 4, 2023 at the Holy Heart of Mary Roman Catholic Church in Viking, Alberta, with the burial following at the Prague Cemetery.
He was a man strong in his faith, may his soul rest in peace.
In Appreciation
The family would like to thank everyone that stopped in to visit, brought food and flowers, gave donations, and sent their condolences over the past couple of weeks, it was greatly appreciated.
A special thanks to:
- The Viking Extendicare staff for all their care and compassion during Henry’s final few weeks.
- All the doctors who cared for Henry over the years.
- Father Robert Lee, Greg and Lynn Ruzicka and everyone who helped make the mass and burial service possible.
- Viking Funeral home for the professional and caring way they helped us through this difficult time.
- Donna’s Food With Flair for catering a wonderful lunch.
- [S107] Obituary of Stan RUZICKA, (Name: Vancouver Sun; Location: Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada; Date: Abt. 04 Jun 2003;), Emailed by Don Rose on 04 Jun 2003. Also published on legacy.com.
RUZICKA _ Stan passed away peacefully at the Powell River Hospital on June 2, 2003 at the age of 58. He waged a four-year battle with cancer with courage, a sense of humour and plenty of witty one-liners. He never complained and taught us about getting on with life and living it to the fullest. He was the loving husband of Janet for 34 years, and the proud father of Lesley (Paul Craven) of Vancouver and Wendy (Ian Clarke) of Calgary. He is also survived by his mother Helen Ruzicka, and brother Fred (Patricia) Ruzicka, of Viking, AB; his mother-in-law Jessie Scott of Kimberley, B.C.; and many nieces and nephews, aunts and uncles, cousins, colleagues and friends. Born and raised in Viking, AB, Stan loved to play hockey. He played Junior A Hockey with the Flin Flon Bombers before joining the Nelson Maple Leafs. He attended Notre Dame University in Nelson and the University of Victoria. He was committed to the public education system and worked as a teacher, principal, and educational administrator for 32 years across British Columbia including stints in Canal Flats, Creston, Lac La Hache, Williams Lake, Vanderhoof, Trail, and Texada Island. Most recently he was the principal of Edgehill Elementary in Powell River where he took pride in knowing all of the students' names. Stan loved to fish, and to spend time at his cabin on Kootenay Lake where it was "always noon somewhere in the world". A Celebration of Stan's life will be held on June 6th at 4:00 p.m. at Edgehill Elementary. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the BC Cancer Foundation or the Powell River Hospital Foundation in memory of Stan Ruzicka. Special thanks to the nurses and medical staff at the Powell River Hospital who provided Stan with such excellent and loving care.
- [S915] Alberta, Canada, Marriages Index,1898-1942.
Name: Edward J Ruzicka
Gender: Male
Marriage Date: 1941
Marriage Place: Killam, Alberta, Canada
Spouse: Helen M. Simon
- [S833] Canada, Voters Lists, 1935-1980, Observations on this document... * Louis PRATT was employed as a waiter at 50 years old? Not impossible, but still odd. * Why is Bessie PRATT enumerated by herself and without John? * Vincent SLAVIK's profession is "gentleman"?.
Name: VARIOUS
Residence Date: 1968
Residence Place: Battle River, Alberta, Canada
Electoral District: Battle River
Reference Number: M-6148
- [S543] Prague Catholic Cemetery (Viking, Beaver, Alberta, Canada), Grave Markers.
RUZICKA, Edward, 1915 - 1994; Helen, 1917 [- 2008]
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1917 - 2008 (90 years)
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