Joyce Rutter

The Celebration of Life for Joyce Rutter was live streamed by Zoom on Saturday, March 13, 2021, the service was recorded and you are to view the slideshow and the funeral service at the bottom of this obituary page.

It is with sadness we announce the passing of our mother Joyce Rutter on Wednesday, March 3, 2021 in Saskatoon, SK at the age of 98 years.

Joyce was born in Sperling, MB July 17, 1922 - the third child of Eilert and Ellen Borsheim.

She attended the Sperling school, was a member of the Sperling United Church and involved in Young People’s Union in the church.  She took her R.N. training at Carman General Hospital; nursed at various MB hospitals and Wheaton, Minnesota. Joyce completed her career at Lion’s Prairie Manor, Portage la Prairie.

October 5th, 1946 Joyce and Elmer were married at Sperling United Church. They farmed in the Rosebank district where they raised their family -- Valerie (Al) Irvine and Dale (Shannon).

Both Joyce and Elmer were active in the Rosebank community, Joyce taught Sunday School and was a CGIT leader. She was President of the UCW in 1962 and enjoyed curling at the local rink.  Joyce was a charter member of the Order of the Eastern Star, Pembina Chapter, Miami, MB.  She held the office of Worthy Matron in 1960 and 1970, held Electa office, Grand Chapter of MB in 1964.  She received her 70th year certificate from Electa #2 OES Portage in 2017 and became an honorary member on her 95th birthday!

Joyce was a member of Trinity United Church in Portage, participating on many committees.  She golfed with the Portage Ladies Golf Club enjoying the friendship of the members. She was an active member of the Canadian Cancer Society for many years.

Elmer and Joyce were active in Portage Pairs and Square and St Claude Square dance club and danced in Hawaii when visiting there.

Elmer and Joyce enjoyed travelling across Canada, many of the northern United States, England, Scotland and several countries in Europe. Joyce travelled to Norway with a family group in 1992. She cruised to Alaska; then the eastern Caribbean to celebrate her 80th birthday and the Panama Canal for her 90th!    In 2009 she travelled to Kauai with Dale and Shannon enjoying a round of golf with Dale near the Pacific Ocean.

In 1999 Joyce moved to the Dalton Estates where she made new friendships and became actively involved.  At age 93 Joyce moved to Saskatoon to be closer to family.

Joyce is survived by children Valerie (Al) Irvine and Dale (Shannon) Rutter, 4 grandchildren  Gregory (Heather) Irvine, Heather (Jason) MacDonald, Jamie (Brittany) Rutter, Jennifer (Kai) Nome and 10 great grandchildren.  She was predeceased by Elmer in 1997.  She was proud of her family especially the relationship she had with her grandchildren. She delighted in talking about them, giving them advice and supporting their decisions.

She is survived by one brother Harold Borsheim, sisters-in-law Fran Borsheim, Deloris Borsheim and Delaine Ketterling, all in Minnesota, as well as numerous nieces and nephews of both the Rutter and Borsheim families.

Celebration of Joyce’s life will be held Saturday, March 13, 2021 at 11:00 am led by Rev. Julie Baker.  The service will be viewable through Zoom, a link will be added to Joyce’s obituary page at mckenziesportagefuneralchapel.com once it is available. Burial will take place at the Miami Cemetery.

Joyce requested no flowers, suggesting friends may conduct random acts of kindness.  If you so desire, charity donations may be made to the Elmer and Joyce Rutter Fund c/o  the Community Foundation of Portage and District  206 Saskatchewan Ave E, Portage la Prairie, MB R1N 0K9.

A tree will be planted in memory and cared for by McKenzies Portage Funeral Chapel.  www.mckenziesportagefuneralchapel.com