Ridia Schuh

Ridia was born October 26, 1933 in the German settlement of Januschew, Poland to Michael and Olga Abram. She is survived by her 4 sons; Gerald Hanke (wife Tana), Erwin Hanke, Holger Hanke (wife Shareen), Ralph Hanke, and 6 grandchildren; Dieter, Michael, Sabina, Danielle, Jessica, and Janet.

Ridia lived on the family farm in Poland until driven west by war where with her Mom Olga, Tante Wanda, cousins Alma and Herta gathered belongings and by horse and carriage made the 700 km trip to Schwerin Germany during the winter of 1945. Once reunited with her dad Michael (an American POW) they made it to Puttgarden, on the isle of Fehmarn in West Germany and stayed until 1952. Onkel Guida and Tante Wanda sponsored the Abrams and in July 7th, 1952 by boat to Montreal and train to Millet joined family in Patience Alberta near Wizard Lake.

Ridia moved earlier into the city finding work as her Mom and Dad stayed a year on the farm to repay the debt of sponsoring the Abram family coming to Canada.

She went to Victoria High School in the evenings to learn English and worked at GWG (Great Western Garment Co.) in the daytime. It was in these evening classes that Ridia met her husband Günther Hanke.

Ridia and Günther were married on November 19, 1953. During their 17 year marriage Ridia lived in the Hazeldean area of south Edmonton and gave birth to Gary (1956), Erwin (1958), Holger (1959) and Ralph in (1967).

Following the divorce of Ridia and Günther and the sudden tragic loss of her dad Michael in 1971 she realized she could not raise 4 boys on her own and through church gatherings met Reinhard Schuh at Trinity Lutheran church. Ridia and Reinhard were married August 15, 1972. The family moved to Duggan in south Edmonton and Ridia continued to work for the Yonkers family businesses.

Ridia’s life once again was struck by need with the injury to Ralph the youngest of the boys in January 1995. Ridia saw her purpose in caring for him and moved back to Hazeldean with Ralph in her parents first home in Edmonton. Her care and devotion to his health over the next 31 years gave her purpose and strength until her passing on June 6, 2026.

A Funeral Service for Ridia will be held at Hainstock Funeral Home on June 15, 2026 at 10:00 AM, followed by Burial Service at South Haven Cemetery.

The family requests that instead of flowers, donations be made to the U of A Foundation In Care of the Burn Unit, which, saved the life of her youngest son, Ralph. Family, friends and guests can make a secure gift (donation) via the University Hospital Foundation Donate Page: https://givetouhf.ca/donate-now/ Simply type "burn treatment" or "In Care of the Burn Unit" into the optional fund allocation/comment box.