WOODRUFF, Reverend Howard Allen
On March 8, 2025, Rev. Howard Woodruff passed away at the age of 92. Howard is survived by his children Wendy and Daniel, grandchildren, David, Katherine (Nathan Smith), John and Rebecca (Cole Kauffeldt), and brother Ronald (Peggy). He was predeceased by Marilyn his wife of 63 years in 2020, parents Hyram and Martha and siblings Betty, Eleanor, Neil and Henry.
Howard was born in Lamont, AB. He accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Saviour at the age of 12 and faithfully served the Lord for the remainder of his life. He attended Canadian Bible College in Regina, Saskatchewan from 1951-1955, where he met Marilyn. Howard and Marilyn were married in 1957. Howard was a pastor with the Christian and Missionary Alliance denomination for 42 years serving in Sturgis, Saskatchewan, Trail, BC, Hanna, Vermilion, Devon and Peace River. After retiring as a pastor in 1997, he and Marilyn moved to Edmonton and Howard served as Protestant Chaplain at the Fort Saskatchewan Correctional Centre for 13 years. Since retiring Howard and Marilyn were active members of Beulah Alliance Church.
Wherever Howard and Marilyn lived they were involved in the community, summer children's camps, Vacation Bible Schools, Christian Service Brigade and Pioneer Girls. For 10 years Howard wrote a weekly column, "A Minister's Message," in the Devon Dispatch newspaper. In every community they formed deep lifelong friendships.
Howard enjoyed gardening, travel, photography and playing any type of table game. He particularly enjoyed playing games and pool with his grandchildren. In his retirement Howard wrote his life story and compiled generational photo albums for each of his four grandchildren. He also wrote about his Christian faith: what he believed and taught throughout his life. In this way he left a legacy to his family.
After Marilyn's passing in 2020, Howard was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease and the last 2.5 years lived first in Rosedale Estates, then Benevolence Care Centre. Howard's family are grateful to the staff at Benevolence Care Centre for the excellent care he received the last year of his life.
There will be a celebration of Howard's life at Beulah Alliance Church, 17504 98A Avenue, on Tuesday, March 18, at 1:00 pm.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Ambrose University, the Canadian Bible Society or the Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital.
Wendy and Danny,
Our sincere condolences on the loss of your dad. I, Harold, have many good memories of your mom and dad’s many kindnesses to me in my early years in Vermilion. Your dad was always so very thoughtful of others and so generous with his time and warm friendship. May the Lord bless you both at this time with His comfort.
Harold and Keri
Thank you Harold. You had a big impact on our lives too. Whitney Lake Bible camp, teacher, song leader, softball coach. God Bless,
Dan, my sincere sympathy to you and all of your family at the recent death of your father. Thoughts are with you.
Terry
Thx Terry.
Sincere condolences to the Woodruff family in the loss of your dad and grandad, Howard. I got to know the Woodruffs back in the Alliance church in Lamont when I was a little girl. Then fast forward to when we now were seniors and attended Beulah Alliance in Edmonton and the Seniors met on Monday mornings at A&W. I got to know Marilyn and her sense of humor and Howard always was so friendly. I enjoyed sitting at the table with them. I am sorry to hear that Howard has passed away but he is in heaven with Jesus and that is wonderful.
May God Bless you!
Rosalie (Hauer) Suvan
Thank you Rosalie!
Dearest Daniel and Wendy, when a loved one becomes a memory cherish the memory.
In 2023 while at Glenrose recovering from a stroke. I was truly blessed to meet your Dad, as a friend, sister Ada would have said it was a God moment, your Dad and I shared a love for our Lord and on learning for him of his jail ministry at the Fort Saskatchewan Correctional After his tenure year at the Fort Jail, I became a volunteer with the Roman Catholic jail ministry. I dubbed your dad, “The Rev”Another Parkinson’s patient to me was the Doc” soon everyone was “The Doc. Soon everyone in our scrabble group and staff referred to them thusly. Your Dad, referred to me as that crazy redheaded lady. Your Dad and “The Doc” were the most formidable gamers putting down medical and biblical words trouncing all with scores over 200 nightly I provided munchies and black liquorice they really like black liquorice apparently a no no for the Rev and the Doc, we got busted, Just like clearing jail security we got caught on many Saturdays. The Rev with his bible in hand would accompany me to mass. The Rev was acknowledged and welcomed by father Mark on Sundays and I would accompany him to our denomination services on site on Sunday after discharge. I’d write to my Rev, thank you Daniel and Wendy for all your emails my dearest Rev Scrabble. Until we meet again Hold this dear to your heart love your crazy Irish lady dear
May the road rise up to meet you,
May the wind be always at your back,
May the sunshine warm upon your face,
And the rain fall soft upon your fields
And until we meet again may God hold you in the palm of his hand in peace, love and joy goodbye my Rev..
Thank you Patricia! Dad loved those scrabble games. Also thank you for all the cards and letters you sent dad the past year that he as in a nursing home. We always read them to dad and he really appreciated you keeping in touch! God Bless. – Dan