Ken Ruthven
December 29, 1951 – August 26, 2017

It is with great sadness the family announces the passing of Kenneth Alan Ruthven 65 Years of Humboldt, SK. after a short courageous battle with cancer on Saturday, August 26, 2017 at Humboldt District Hospital. Ken was born on December 29, 1951 to Robert and Evlynn (nee Martin) Ruthven in St. Catharines Ontario. Ken obtained his education at Kernahan Park School in St. Catharines and graduated with a baking certificate.  He then worked for National Systems of Baking and later for Dominion Stores as a baker.  Ken was a very active youth and played baseball and hockey but his favourite sport was bowling.  Ken had an enormous passion for bowling and was naturally very good at the game.  As a young man he set many records and won a few championships in ON. He had been involved in the sport since 1965. Ken won many titles and had many accomplishments with bowling.  Some memorable moments were when he bowled on the Southern Ontario Men’s bowling team at the nationals in Saskatoon in 1984, winning silver.  He also won the Saskatchewan Men’s Singles Championship at Moose Jaw in 1988.  He also bowled at the National’s in Hull, Que. which entitled him to bowl on CBC bowling and he qualified the next year in a different format.  Ken bowled in three championships on TV, one with TSN and two with CBC.  He coached many YBC teams to medals in ON and SK.  His highest score was 440 in ON when he punched a head pin with his 12th ball.  On March 1, 1986 Ken was delighted to be a part owner of Kemway Lanes in Humboldt with his brother Eric.  Ken was very active in all aspects of bowling. He continued to mentor, play and volunteer on many boards at the local and provincial levels. He was on the National Bowling Proprietor’s Association Board as the Saskatchewan YBC Director.  He loved all bowlers but he especially loved sharing this sport with children and the children loved him. Humboldt and District Special Olympics became his passion, he was very active with all areas of this organization and helped many children and adults gain confidence and have fun.  He volunteered for over 25 years with them.   Ken loved and was very proud of his two daughters and was always supporting, coaching and practising skills with the activities they chose.  Of course they were active bowlers and he shared his knowledge with them and his grandchildren.  Ken’s original team, before the Toronto Blue Jays inception, were the Baltimore Orioles.  He attended many of the Blue Jays games in Toronto and travelled to watch other teams, such as the Minnesota Twins.  When he wasn’t watching the ball games or bowling he could be could be found on the golf course. In the winter as a child their backyard became a skating rink and then into a meticulous floral and vegetable garden.  Ken learned from his father his love of gardening and could be seen spending many hours in his own yard.  Ken and Mary enjoyed travelling.  When the girls were younger they made annual summer trips to Ontario to see family.  Later Ken and Mary took many trips to Ireland, Mexico, Jamaica, Hawaii and many places across Canada and the USA. Ken loved people and visiting.  He has touched many lives across Canada.  The one title that Ken totally loved to talk about was being “Papa” to his four grandchildren.  His love for them was very visible when he talked about them, especially how his eyes lit up.  Ken’s sense of humour and wonderful welcoming smile will be lovingly remembered and sadly missed by his wife of 40 years Mary Ruthven of Humboldt two daughters and four grandchildren:  Leslie (Robert) McLeod of Watson and children Conner and Robyn and Jessica (Robert) Buzanko of Calgary, AB and children Noah and Dylan; father Robert Ruthven of St. Catharines, ON; three brothers: John Ruthven of St. Catharines, ON, Martin (Joanne) Ruthven of Collingwood, ON and Eric (Myrna) Ruthven of Humboldt; sister-in-law Helen (Craig) Kozun-Young of St. Catharines, ON; nieces, nephews and by many good friends.  Ken was predeceased by his mother Evlynn Ruthven (nee Martin); sister Sheila Wilson; parents-in-law: C. Ross and Isobel Magee. A Funeral Service will be held on Friday, September 1, 2017 at 2:00 p.m. from Westminster United Church Humboldt. Officiated by, Rev. Brenda Curtis. Memorial Donations in Ken’s memory may be directed to Humboldt Special Olympics or Humboldt District Hospital Palliative Care.

This notice placed courtesy of
Malinoski & Danyluik Funeral Home
Phone: 682-1622