Nathan William Paul Ruetz

All Souls Day

We gathered as a family yesterday to pray for you Nathan. We hope that god has mercy on you and forgives all your sins and invites you into his eternal glory. We love you and miss you every day.

Poem

Goodbye Dear Nathan It seems like just yesterday Remembering when you were born Now seventeen years later We are gathered here to mourn. It happened so fast, no time for goodbye We had no idea that you would die. We are so saddened we can hardly talk Our hearts are broken, we’re all in shock We’ve often heard the expression That life is too short. In your case it’s true Nathan We regret to report. We know you are at peace now And safely in God’s hands May God’s mercy be upon you And may He help us to understand. Amen Love Grandude DJC, February 4, 2024

Eulogy

We gather today to honour the life of Nathan William Paul Ruetz, a beloved son, brother, grandson, nephew, cousin, and friend. Nathan’s life began on July 18, 2006 and he spent his entire short life in Foam Lake, Saskatchewan, surrounded by the love of his parents, Bill and Candace and his five younger siblings, Emily, Elizabeth, Daniel, Claire, and Matthew. Nathan loved his family and his extended family, always looking forward to holidays so everyone could be together. Nathan was close to his grandparents, sharing a passion for farming and working with his two grandpas. His grandmas spoiled him with love and affection and he returned the love and would do anything for them as he got older. Nathan regularly teased his brothers and sisters but protected them fiercely. Raised in the Roman Catholic parish family of Christ the King, Nathan was blessed to have many dear friends who had a hand in his upbringing. From his earliest years, Nathan’s spirit was as boundless as the prairie sky. He found joy in the simple pleasures of childhood -- riding bikes, building forts, sledding, playing tag, and spending endless hours in the swimming pool and in the sand and garden with his tonka trucks. Nathan was a very active child, always on the go. When he was two, he rode his tricycle for so many hours that he wore the tire right off. Nathan was curious and adventurous. His siblings and childhood friends on the block have many memories of their outdoor escapades with Nathan, riding gators and barbie cars, playing in the puddles, climbing trees, and mining rocks. From the time he was a baby, Nathan was a momma’s boy, always concerned that mom was happy. And he never grew out of it -- even as a teenager with his newfound freedom, he checked in regularly because he never wanted mom to worry. As a toddler and young child, Nathan went everywhere with his dad. He tagged along with him as he coached and especially loved the football atmosphere. Nathan spent many hours with his dad and his teaching and coaching colleagues, forming close relationships with many who watched him grow up. Although Nathan was not passionate about school, he loved learning. He was an adventurer and the world was his classroom. From a young age, he loved to tinker. Fueled by curiosity, he would take apart anything mechanical that he could get his hands on. He loved to build and fix and get his hands dirty. He didn’t want to play with toys but the real thing. He loved tools, helping himself to and experimenting with his dad’s and collecting many of his own. In his last few years, he also began collecting knives and guns, as many as he could convince us that he needed. Nathan played hockey, baseball, basketball, and football. He was a big, strong kid and played hard. Even his broken arm during a football game didn’t stop him from playing the rest of the season. Although he was athletic, it was his passion for hunting, fishing, camping, and farming that truly ignited his soul. He found solace and purpose in the great outdoors, forging connections with people of all ages who shared his love for the land and its bounties. Nathan spent many hours fishing with high school buddies and family friends. He had a few special friends, with whom he shared these passions. He always told us how lucky he was to have friends to take him and mentor him in these pursuits. Nathan enjoyed helping people and he loved to visit. He liked clearing driveways, trimming trees, and helping with any odd jobs for neighbours and friends. He was always happy to talk farming and enjoyed listening to stories about the good old days. Nathan loved farming. He started working at Zuchkan farms at age 14 when former students of his dad asked if Nathan would like to work for them. Nathan was happy to sweep the shop and pick twine and took many pictures and videos of the cows and the dogs and the sunsets that he enjoyed when he was out at the farm. He was so proud that he was allowed to drive a truck. He was always happy to tell us about his day when he got home from the farm, more excited as he gained more responsibility and learned more about farming. He spoke fondly of the people he worked for and with. He also had the opportunity to work for a few other farmers and enjoyed every minute. Nathan also loved mechanics. He told us often how grateful he was to have done a work experience at the local mechanic shop where he found his passion for working on vehicles, as well as a special friend. With the help of his grandpa, Nathan was able to buy a truck at the age of 16. It was his prized possession. He spent countless hours working on his truck, fixing it, improving it, dreaming about what he would do to it, washing it, occasionally cleaning it out, filling it with gas and driving it, anywhere and everywhere anyone wanted to go. Most of the community and beyond knew Nathan’s truck, and could hear where he was at any time. Once Nathan had his driver’s license and the freedom of his own truck, he spent many hours out and about with his buddies. They would pick up parts, work on their trucks, shoot beavers and coyotes, hang out, visit and drink pepsi, and “work”. They spent lots of time driving, often to Mount Hope for Nathan to see a special girl who he loved to spend time with and spoil. But beyond his pursuits, Nathan will be remembered for his character. Nathan was determined, persistent, and strong willed from a young age. He always knew what he wanted and was willing to work hard to achieve it. When he decided what he wanted, no one around him rested until it was accomplished. Nathan was known for being a hard worker and a willing helper to anyone who needed it. Nathan had a great sense of humour, always wanting to lighten the mood and make others laugh. He also had a soft heart and a deep love for his family and friends. Now I have a letter to read to Nathan that was written by his dad: Hey Bud, As your father I took great pride in what a caring and helpful man you had become. There have been so many people over the years who have told me stories of your kindness and helpfulness. I never got to say enough times how proud I was of you, but I hope you knew. You showed tremendous strength not only physically, but also in character and as a father, I was so proud. Our memories that we created together will be forever etched in my memories. I will cherish all of our trips; our quick trips to the dam, gun range, or marsh, and running the creek every spring, and our longer trips to Gem Lakes, Big Muddy, Alaska, Minneapolis and many others. I will forever miss your unique laugh, your eager willingness to be the handyman of our house when I could not, and even the sound of your truck pulling up to the house. I will always love you- our biggest baby. Love, Dad As we bid a final farewell to our beloved Nathan, who has been called home to Heaven, let us remember the laughter he shared and the love he gave. Though his time with us was short, his legacy will endure through the memories we hold dear and the lives he touched along the way. Though our hearts ache with grief, we take solace in the knowledge that Nathan now rests in the loving embrace of our Heavenly Father. As we mourn the loss of Nathan, let us also celebrate the gift of his life and take comfort in the promise of our faith; that one day we will be reunited with Nathan in the Kingdom of Heaven, where there will be no more tears, suffering or pain. Until that glorious day, may we find peace in the memories we shared, the love we cherished, and the hope of eternal life in Christ. Rest in peace, dear Nathan, knowing that you are forever loved and eternally cherished in the arms of our Lord. Amen