Tributes to
Mrs. Foust and
Mrs. Friesen
The Whetstone
This issue of the Whetstone is devoted to remembering two faithful pastors' wives that laboured in Canada for decades: Ruth Foust and Verna Friesen. Ruth's tribute was written by her friend, Debbie Talbert, and Verna's tribute was written by her daughter-in-law, Paula Friesen. As you read, I trust your heart will thank the Lord for loaning these faithful servants to us here in Western Canada. And I trust you will pray for Roger and Tim as they navigate new days without their lifelong partners.
Memories of Ruth Foust
by Debbie Talbert
Her smile. The memory of Ruth Foust’s smile leaps into my mind every time I think of her. This smile illuminated her whole face and made her eyes crinkle. This smile drew you in and made you feel comfortable and comforted.
Her voice also smiled, also a little crinkly, a little raspy, but gentle and quiet. Her children say she never yelled, but quietly and firmly expected them to do what was right. Not for show, not because they were PKs, but simply because right was right and wrong was wrong.
Ruth was blessed to grow up in a Christian home but experienced sorrow at a young age when her father passed away. God led Roger and Ruth together while they were attending Bible college in Grand Rapids, Michigan. All four children were born during their years in Michigan.
Roger and Ruth were sent out by Continental Baptist Missions in 1982 to plant a church in Moose Jaw. When the church became self-supporting, Roger stayed on as the senior pastor until his retirement in 2019.
The title, “Pastor’s Wife,” can mean different things in different ministries. Ruth was a faithful encourager, supporter and cheerleader for her husband and children. For thirty-seven years as a pastor’s wife, she served quietly, never seeking the spotlight, but willingly teaching Sunday school, planning ladies’ retreats, and speaking at ladies’ events over the years. Hindered, but not defined by her limitations, Ruth suffered for years with insomnia, Lupus, and arthritis. We joked that you could not serve as a WCBF pastor’s wife unless touched by some physical ailment.
When Ruth chatted with you, she gave her entire attention. She would lean in with that wonderful welcoming smile and listen with interest to what you were telling her. We commiserated over the limitations our illnesses brought, rejoiced over the lessons those same limitations provided, and shared the delights and concerns of our children and grandchildren. I learned she loved horses and, at least for a while, owned, groomed, and rode one regularly. She was an effortless guest in our home. Once after a long conversation, she leaned back and with a smile and a twinkle said, “I think I’ve found a kindred spirit.”
Though Ruth’s children know their mom was a sinner just like everyone else, they never remember their mom saying anything negative about their dad. Ruth was for, not against, her husband, her children, her ministries, and her friends. She was a Christian who prayed, a counselor who cared, and a woman who sought to live out her faith in all her attitudes and relationships.
Ruth’ earthly work is complete, though her influence, like waters lapping the shore, continues on in the lives she touched over the years. Ruth has graduated to the presence of her heavenly Father and to her new home in heaven. Someday I, too, by God’s grace will reach heaven’s shores. I imagine glancing down one of those streets of gold and seeing afar off among many familiar faces, a petite lady with a radiant smile ready to welcome her friend.
<BackHer voice also smiled, also a little crinkly, a little raspy, but gentle and quiet. Her children say she never yelled, but quietly and firmly expected them to do what was right. Not for show, not because they were PKs, but simply because right was right and wrong was wrong.
Ruth was blessed to grow up in a Christian home but experienced sorrow at a young age when her father passed away. God led Roger and Ruth together while they were attending Bible college in Grand Rapids, Michigan. All four children were born during their years in Michigan.
Roger and Ruth were sent out by Continental Baptist Missions in 1982 to plant a church in Moose Jaw. When the church became self-supporting, Roger stayed on as the senior pastor until his retirement in 2019.
The title, “Pastor’s Wife,” can mean different things in different ministries. Ruth was a faithful encourager, supporter and cheerleader for her husband and children. For thirty-seven years as a pastor’s wife, she served quietly, never seeking the spotlight, but willingly teaching Sunday school, planning ladies’ retreats, and speaking at ladies’ events over the years. Hindered, but not defined by her limitations, Ruth suffered for years with insomnia, Lupus, and arthritis. We joked that you could not serve as a WCBF pastor’s wife unless touched by some physical ailment.
When Ruth chatted with you, she gave her entire attention. She would lean in with that wonderful welcoming smile and listen with interest to what you were telling her. We commiserated over the limitations our illnesses brought, rejoiced over the lessons those same limitations provided, and shared the delights and concerns of our children and grandchildren. I learned she loved horses and, at least for a while, owned, groomed, and rode one regularly. She was an effortless guest in our home. Once after a long conversation, she leaned back and with a smile and a twinkle said, “I think I’ve found a kindred spirit.”
Though Ruth’s children know their mom was a sinner just like everyone else, they never remember their mom saying anything negative about their dad. Ruth was for, not against, her husband, her children, her ministries, and her friends. She was a Christian who prayed, a counselor who cared, and a woman who sought to live out her faith in all her attitudes and relationships.
Ruth’ earthly work is complete, though her influence, like waters lapping the shore, continues on in the lives she touched over the years. Ruth has graduated to the presence of her heavenly Father and to her new home in heaven. Someday I, too, by God’s grace will reach heaven’s shores. I imagine glancing down one of those streets of gold and seeing afar off among many familiar faces, a petite lady with a radiant smile ready to welcome her friend.
Verna Friesen Tribute
by Paula Friesen
When you were with Mom, you felt like family, no matter who you were. Her smile was reassuring and warm, her laugh always inviting and comforting. She was joy filled, fun loving, and she simply loved people. There was a season that I lived with Mom and Dad during college. I often felt like their hospitality extended to those they didn’t even know, or that they had just met. I saw their love for people first hand, and their desire to invest in people and create a home that is welcoming. Their guests were welcomed and treated as family. This is part of why Mom was loved by so many!
But, it’s not the only reason. Mom loved to serve people in various ways. She served and gave of herself unreservedly. She delighted in teaching women The Word, and supporting and discipling new believers in many ways. She was an encourager as many women came to her with hardships, and a cheerleader when they came heavy laden with sin they felt they couldn’t overcome. She shared from her tool chest filled by a life that walked with God for many years. She taught, supported and encouraged many women in their journey heavenward. She even led some to that first step of the journey, introducing them to Christ.
These are things many will remember of Mom.
Her personal touch on her children, though, goes even beyond these sentiments.
Mom wrote the lullaby I sing to my children most nights.
I don’t know how the conversation came up, but shortly after our first child was born, we found ourselves discussing how unpleasant and even morbid most English lullabies are. We sang a few and cringed. Mom then sat at the piano while I worked on something or another. A short while later she says, “how’s this?”. I read and listened to what would be our new “Friesen” lullaby:
My sweet baby, I love you
My Heavenly Father cares for you
Like the lilies in the field, He will provide your every need
My sweet baby trust Him too
My sweet baby, I love you
Her grandchildren will continue to be touched by these words she penned for many more years. What a beautiful legacy!
She was faithful. She committed her life and her story to God. She trusted Him, she rested in Him, and she faithfully communed with Him. One of the many sorrows her family bears is the loss of a faithful prayer warrior. We took comfort in knowing that she was praying for us regularly.
These are only a few of so many precious memories I hold dearly. And I am only one of many others who hold myriad more memories. It is simply hard to sum up a beautiful life in a few short paragraphs. This small window, however, does give a glimpse of the beauty and grace of this life, and the possibilities of a life lived by faith. We take great joy and solace in the fulness of the life Mom lived, and that she is now basking in fullness of joy in the presence of the one she spent her life preparing to meet face to face. We rejoice in the knowledge of our hope of heaven, that promise that we will again be together in what will seem like the blink of an eye.
Mom, you have magnified our anticipation for heaven, and our resolve to faithfulness until we get there. Thank you for a life lived beautifully!
<BackBut, it’s not the only reason. Mom loved to serve people in various ways. She served and gave of herself unreservedly. She delighted in teaching women The Word, and supporting and discipling new believers in many ways. She was an encourager as many women came to her with hardships, and a cheerleader when they came heavy laden with sin they felt they couldn’t overcome. She shared from her tool chest filled by a life that walked with God for many years. She taught, supported and encouraged many women in their journey heavenward. She even led some to that first step of the journey, introducing them to Christ.
These are things many will remember of Mom.
Her personal touch on her children, though, goes even beyond these sentiments.
Mom wrote the lullaby I sing to my children most nights.
I don’t know how the conversation came up, but shortly after our first child was born, we found ourselves discussing how unpleasant and even morbid most English lullabies are. We sang a few and cringed. Mom then sat at the piano while I worked on something or another. A short while later she says, “how’s this?”. I read and listened to what would be our new “Friesen” lullaby:
My sweet baby, I love you
My Heavenly Father cares for you
Like the lilies in the field, He will provide your every need
My sweet baby trust Him too
My sweet baby, I love you
Her grandchildren will continue to be touched by these words she penned for many more years. What a beautiful legacy!
She was faithful. She committed her life and her story to God. She trusted Him, she rested in Him, and she faithfully communed with Him. One of the many sorrows her family bears is the loss of a faithful prayer warrior. We took comfort in knowing that she was praying for us regularly.
These are only a few of so many precious memories I hold dearly. And I am only one of many others who hold myriad more memories. It is simply hard to sum up a beautiful life in a few short paragraphs. This small window, however, does give a glimpse of the beauty and grace of this life, and the possibilities of a life lived by faith. We take great joy and solace in the fulness of the life Mom lived, and that she is now basking in fullness of joy in the presence of the one she spent her life preparing to meet face to face. We rejoice in the knowledge of our hope of heaven, that promise that we will again be together in what will seem like the blink of an eye.
Mom, you have magnified our anticipation for heaven, and our resolve to faithfulness until we get there. Thank you for a life lived beautifully!