Ruben Lewis Sovdi

Ruben Lewis Sovdi

1926 - 2026

Ruben Lewis Sovdi went to be with his Lord and Saviour on Sunday, August 2, 2026. Ruben lived for 99 years - just short of two months before his hundredth birthday.   Ruben’s greatest strength was his unwavering faith.  In a century of days, Ruben’s faith touched many lives through prayer and song. He performed many weddings and funerals.  He sang often as part of his ministry.  

Ruben was born October 3, 1926, on the farm in Outram, SK to Holly and Mary Sovdi. (Well, he told some of us that and the rest of us he told he was born at Torquay, SK!) Ruben grew up with a strong sense of loyalty to his brothers and sisters.  He adored his mother, Mary.  He shared her favorite scriptures with his children, as he told them of her love for God.  

 Farming was the Sovdi way.  From the wee hours of the morning to bedtime, Holly taught his older boys the way of the farm.  Ruben was 19 years old when Holly moved Mary and the 2 youngest boys to Vancouver.  Ruben was left to work for Lloyd on the Sovdi farm.   

In 1949 Ruben was called to the ministry and attended International Bible College. Ruben married Hazel Richardson in 1951 during his last year there.  Together they had 6 children.   As a new Christian, Ruben became one of the founding members of the Estevan Church of God.  Over the next few years Ruben became an ordained minister with the Church of God – a position he was honoured to have.   Ruben pastored full time and worked full time for all of his ministry years to provide for his family.  He pastored at Midale, SK, Consul, SK, Rolling Hills, AB, and then back to Midale, Sk.  

In 1972 Ruben retired from the ministry and returned to his roots, purchasing his farm at Torquay, SK. There he farmed wheat and raised cattle.  Ruben loved to have unique animals and birds – guinea hens, peacocks, donkeys and doves. 

Ruben farmed until 12 years ago when he became a resident of the Estevan Regional Nursing Home – he was one of the longest residents to live there.  Ruben challenged the nurses there regularly by sneaking off and driving his scooter all over Estevan – eventually they put a warning bell on his chair that set an alarm off at the door so the staff would know Ruben was off on an adventure!  Ruben also loved making crafts with the Recreational Department – if you visited him, you would see his crafts tacked to his walls!!

Ruben was predeceased by his parents, Holly and Mary Sovdi; brothers: Earl (Mabel), Marvel (Alta), Lloyd (Audrey), Ordeen (Hilda), Ardin (Dorothy); sisters: Florence, Elsie (George), Lenora (Ed), his daughter Kathleen, and great-grandson Beau.  

Ruben is survived by his seven children: Stuart (Judy), Dwayne (Kris), Faithe, Donna (Ron), Shari (Cory), and Garth (Colleen) and Joel; his grandchildren: Melanie (Tyson), Kathy, Jason (Fusako), Lisa (Dylan), Steven, Nathan (Samantha), James (Alana), Shane (Ariel), Kristen (Matt), Lauren, Jared (Amie), Brendan and Kacie; great-grandchildren: Dre, Madison,  Lyric, Ansel, Quincy, Emily, Summer, Elliana Faye, Liam, Brooke, Wylde, Harper,  Jordan, Charlie, Luke, Harald and Heidi. 

The Memorial Service for Ruben will take place on Thursday, August 6, 2026 at 1:00 p.m. at the Church of God in Estevan, Saskatchewan with Pastor John Mohan officiating. A luncheon will immediately follow the service.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a Donation to the Estevan Regional Nursing Home- Recreational Department at 1921 Wellock Rd., Estevan, SK S4A 2B5. 

Hall Funeral Services in Estevan is caring for Ruben’s Family- Zoe Wagner, Student Funeral Director and Dustin Hall, Funeral Director.