Elizabeth "Beth" Rude

1931 - 2025

Called by angels Mom left this life in her sleep on August 26, 2025. She will be forever in our hearts.

Beth (nee Warder) Rude lived in, loved, and helped cultivate a vibrant community in Birch Hills truly for her whole life. Not only did she live in Birch Hills 91 years but she lived on the same street that whole time.

Born in the first Birch Hills Hospital at 309 McCallum Avenue Beth was the daughter of Charlie and Ellen Warder, who both settled in Birch Hills after emigrating from England. As the youngest of six children, Beth grew up in the family home at 17 McCallum Avenue and completed high school in Birch Hills. The first Birch Hills High School, which opened in 1927, was situated across from the H.A. Wilson Home at 61 McCallum Avenue. After high school Beth took Teacher's training in Saskatoon but continued to spend weekends in Birch Hills with her parents to help with her mother who had been diagnosed with Alzheimer's.

In 1952 Beth married Alvin Rude of the Bonnie Hill district. The car they used for their honeymoon has remained part of the Birch Hills Threshing Day Parade through the years. The young couple moved into the Warder family home, continuing to care for Ellen while Beth began her teaching career. Both of Alvin's and Beth's daughters, Kathryn and Kristina, were born at the new Birch Hills Hospital (now Birch Hills Memorial Museum), built on Wilson Street where McCallum Avenue begins. For much of her life, Beth combined raising a young family, supporting Alvin's farming, and teaching school. Conveniently the school buildings were across the street from the Warder home on McCallum Avenue. As Beth continued to teach and Alvin became a journeyman electrician, starting Rude Electric, Alvin and Beth were able to build their own home, right next door to the Warder house. In 1966 the Rude family moved into their new home at 11 McCallum Avenue where Beth lived until 2011. Initially pink and white, the bungalow was green and white and boasted an enclosed carport by the time Beth sold it. Beth was an early adopter of the "high rise" condo in Birch Hills and for over 10 years resided in a lovely 4th floor suite located at 222 McCallum Avenue where she could look out from her balcony and see the former hospitals, the old Warder residence, the Birch Hills School, the family home of Alvin and Beth, and almost on the horizon, the Rude family farm just north of Bonnie Hill. McCallum Avenue in Birch Hills was the center of Beth's universe for almost a full century.

The Birch Hills School was Beth's second home for many years. In addition to teaching Home Economics and organizing student fashion shows, Beth taught English and loved music � organizing and leading many groups of songsters. Outside of school, she sang and played the piano at the United Church and was part of Sweet Adelines. In the community Beth also volunteered at the Birchview Home and spearheaded the Memorial Wall at the Birch Hills Museum. She served with Saskatchewan History and Folklore Society for over a decade and was keenly interested in Saskatchewan stories, developments, and politics. Recognition for her community contributions came when Beth received one of the Saskatchewan Centennial Medals which were awarded by the Lieutenant Governor of Saskatchewan in 2005 and early 2006.

Perhaps one of the most unexpected events of Beth's life came as the result of Alvin's kidney failure. On May 8, 1997 Beth donated a kidney to Alvin, enabling him to live without twice a week trips for dialysis. This was a truly extraordinary gift.

Though Beth's life was centered in Birch Hills, she had an extended circle of friends and family across the globe. Beth reached out to those friends and relatives far and near, and was a source of knowledge to many. Her daughters and their families are very proud of the way Mom lived her life. She leaves her daughters, a son-in-law (Danny), five grandchildren (Tim, Erin, Jennifer, Erica and Logan) and ten great grandchildren (Nicholas, Rebecca, Brooke, Amy, Kolven, Mikka, Isaac, Kenlyn, Dustin and Millie) who all mourn her passing.

A Service of Remembrance will be held on Monday, September 1, 2025, at 2:00 pm, Christ Alone Lutheran Church - Birch Hills, SK.

Donations To:
*Birch Hills & District Historical Society, P.O Box 693 Birch Hills, Sk S0J 0G0
*Camp Tapawingo P.O Box 194, Prince Albert, SK S6V 5R5
*Charity of Donor's Choice

Arrangements in care of Mackenzie Funeral Chapel & Crematorium, Mark & Pedro Gyoerick, Mel & Troy Curle, & Jordyn Jacobson. 306 763 8488.