Obituary of Ruby Christina Brost (nee Erickson)

December 9, 1937 – Viking, Alberta

January 6, 2025 – Calgary, Alberta

Ruby Brost (nee Erickson) passed away at Bow Crest Nursing Home on Monday, January 6, 2025, at the age of 87 years.

Ruby was born in Viking, AB, on December 9,1937. She weighed less than two pounds at birth; her twin sister weighed slightly more, but did not survive. Ruby was also not expected to survive. She was given the donated breast milk from a mother who had lost her son. She had the marvelous privilege of meeting this woman years later; when telling her that she saved her life, it had brought the woman to tears.

She was the youngest child of Swedish immigrants, growing up on a farm near the hamlet of Bruce, AB. She always said she was a tomboy, playing with her nephews and cousins who were close in age. She was lovingly referred to as “stumpa”, a Swedish word for small in stature.

Ruby was nearly seven years old when her mother died. Her whole family helped raise her, including her mother’s sister Christine.

Ruby left Bruce in 1955 to work at the University Hospital in Edmonton. In 1956, she trained in Calgary to become a Registered Nursing Assistant (now LPN).

She met Al Brost at the Kingdom Hall in Edmonton and they married in 1962. Al was working for an oil company in Alaska, and she joined him in the adventure of living in Anchorage, which she had so many fond memories of, including the birth of their first daughter. Due to Ruby’s ongoing health issues, Al transferred to Calgary, where they resided for the rest of their lives in their home in Varsity Acres. Ruby continued her career working as an LPN at Bethany Care Centre.

Ruby was known for her unique and quirky sense of humour and her joyful laugh. She loved her practical jokes. She was also known for her amazing cooking and baking skills. She was devout in her faith. She loved her extended family and always enjoyed reuniting with them at the Bruce Stampede, family weddings, or reunions.

She had many health challenges in her life including her hearing loss which was frustrating for her. Later in life she had the opportunity to qualify for a cochlear implant which was life-changing for her.

Ruby will lovingly be remembered by her children, Laura Lee (Steven) Day, Susan Marie (Don) Carleton, and Anna Mae Brost (Kevin Lelke). Also left to mourn are her grandchildren, Matthew Levorson, and Brooklyn and Ty Carleton; along with numerous nieces and nephews, friends, and brothers and sisters of her congregation.

She was predeceased by her husband Al Brost in 2006, her parents Ole and Anna Erickson, and her siblings, Sigrid (Andrew) Erickson, Arthur Erickson, Roy (Agnes) Erickson, Vivian (Raymond) Benson, Bud (Diana) Erickson, Mae (Jeff) Jeffrey, and her twin sister Rose Erickson. She was also predeceased by her biological daughter Natalie Menzel, niece Shirley Erickson, and nephew Dean Jeffrey.

Special thank you to all the staff at Bow Crest Nursing Home for their amazing care and support of Ruby and her family over the past eight years.

Memorial Services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, January 17, 2025, at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses (1705 Ranchlands Way NW, Calgary, AB). If you wish to join the service online, please contact one of Ruby’s daughters for the Zoom code to participate live on the day of the service.

Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared and viewed with Ruby’s family here.

In living memory of Ruby Brost, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Crowfoot, 82 Crowfoot Circle NW, Calgary, AB T3G 2T3, Telephone: 403-241-0044.