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.