Ruth Elizabeth Susan (Sheppard) Nygren

“For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.” Philippians 1:21

Beloved Wife, Mother, Grandmother and Family Member.

A life that faithfully demonstrated love to God and others.

Ruth Nygren lived a life characterized by her love for God and others. She passed away peacefully at 71 years of age on May 8, 2026 at Chinook Regional Hospital, Lethbridge, AB.

Ruth accepted Jesus personally at an early age and lived a life at peace with God. She was a dedicated and loving daughter, sibling to 3 special brothers, family member, wife, mother, mother-in-law, and grandmother.

From her early 20’s as a Global Harvest Missionary Worker, Ruth Nygren served God, primarily cross-culturally. After her marriage to Gerald on July 14, 1979, they ministered full-time; residing over the years in Canada, USA, Mexico (12 years) and Guatemala (14 years). Her missionary work also included numerous international ministry trips to various places in Latin America (El Salvador, and Costa Rica), Spain, as well as extensive travel from coast to coast in Canada.  

She worked hand in hand in ministry with Gerald, often showing acts of kindness to those in need, spent countless hours editing and revising Gerald’s Spanish Bible Teachings and often team taught with Gerald.  

Besides serving side by side with Gerald in the churches, she helped in several schools as a kindergarten reading teacher, PTA leader, secretary, and supervisor for activities and outings. Both in formal roles and spontaneously, Ruth demonstrated love to so many — one-on-one, across the generations, deeply, consistently, and sacrificially.

Gerald will continue as a Global Harvest Missionary Worker also ensuring that Ruth’s legacy will carry on in the Spanish-speaking world as the materials are reprinted and distributed and as the evangelistic, teaching and training recordings are aired again in Bible School and on the Radio and Internet.

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