We Remember

ENSIGN, Russell “Rusty” Stanley Albert

August 15, 1959 — June 13, 2025

It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of Russell Stanley Albert Ensign (Rusty), who left us on June 13, 2025, at the age of 65. Rusty was born on August 15th, 1959, in Kelowna, British Columbia. He was the beloved son of Russell and Doreen Ensign, cattle ranchers who moved from Kelowna to West Kelowna in 1962. Rusty was the first grandson of Dr AS Underhill and Joyce Underhill who settled in Kelowna after World War 1 and became prominent community members.

Rusty grew up as a member and president of the Kelowna 4-H Beef Club, he was in the first class to graduate from Mount Boucherie Secondary School in 1977, also as President. His passion for horticulture, farming, and sports led him to pursue further education by travelling to Australia, where he worked first as an ice-skating instructor and hockey coach before moving onto the oil rigs, then the outback cattle station and then to New Zealand working on a sheep station. All along honing his skills as a rugby player, joining teams in each community and later joining the Kelowna Crows Rugby Club on his return in 1982. On May 23,1983 at the age of 23, Rusty suffered from a life changing injury playing in a rugby tournament in Edmonton, Alberta. In 1984, Rusty joined his brothers creating Ensign Bros Sand and Gravel working with them on the successful West Kelowna business. Rusty travelled extensively throughout his whole life, we are proud to say he was an independent world-traveler and plan to continue his legacy.

Throughout his career, Rusty made significant contributions to the community, working on notable projects such as raising funds for the Royal Lepage Place hockey arena, he was on the board for incorporation of the City of West Kelowna, a board member of Lakeview Irrigation and later sat on council for City of West Kelowna where his dedication and expertise was greatly appreciated. He was also involved in many community groups, such as Westbank Kinsmen and People in Motion, which helped bring in building codes to make places more accessible for those who need it. His passion to mentor and guide nonprofit groups, sporting programs and individuals within West Kelowna will be greatly missed.

Beyond his professional achievements, Rusty participated in the Family Farm through his perseverance, spearheading the plantation of the farm’s first vineyard in 2021. Sadly, he won’t be here to enjoy the first crop to be harvested this fall.

Rusty is survived by his loved children, Louis Ensign, Jesse Skipper and Kersty Ensign, his cherished grandchildren Damien, Leland, Coral, Russell and Charlotte Ensign. His siblings and partners, Chris & Sandra Ensign, Shauna & Dr Cam Bakala and Cam & Kim Ensign. He is also remembered fondly by his beloved nieces and nephews, Jaxson (Chantelle, Broox, Parker), Alana (Cole), Mackenzie, Ava (Remy), Darby and Duncan. The memories of the joy he brought to their lives will be held dear by all. He will be deeply missed by everyone who knew him.

Memorial donations may be sent to the Kelowna Crows Jr Rugby.

A service will be held on Saturday, August 9, 2025, at 1:00 pm (PDT), at Springfield Funeral Home, 2020 Springfield Road, Kelowna, BC. If you are unable to attend in person, please join the family online by Livestream at the time of the service (see below), a recording will be made available to view shortly thereafter.

If you wish to send a condolence, post photos, or share a memory, please scroll down the page to the area call “Condolences”.

LIVESTREAM:

Service
Saturday, August 9, 2025, at 1:00 pm (PDT)

Location
SPRINGFIELD FUNERAL HOME

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Kelowna Crows Jr Rugby Link: www.kelownacrows.com

 


Service Information

Service Details


The service for ENSIGN, Russell “Rusty” Stanley Albert is scheduled for Saturday, August 9, 2025, at 1:00 pm (PDT). Below you will find the map for the service location and the contact information should you have any questions.

Address & Contact for Service Location:

SPRINGFIELD FUNERAL HOME

2020 Springfield Road Kelowna, BC

Phone:

Special Requests:

None.

Funeral Pointers:

 


Condolences

  • Pat Jones says:
    June 25, 2025 at 11:26 am

    I had the amazing opportunity to work with Rusty…he was an amazing, courageous man.

    Reply
  • Nicole says:
    June 25, 2025 at 11:39 am

    My sincere condolences to the Ensign Family. Thought’s and prayers go out to all 🙏

    Reply
  • Jim and Tricia Stewart & Family says:
    June 25, 2025 at 6:39 pm

    To all the Ensign family our thoughts are with you

    Reply
  • City of West Kelowna Mayor Gord Milsom says:
    June 26, 2025 at 11:29 am

    Please accept our sincere and heartfelt condolences. Rusty contributed to the well being of our community in so many ways, including as a City Councillor from 2014 to 2018. Rusty was an outstanding community leader and builder, who truly cared for others and uplifted countless lives within our community. Thank you Rusty and rest in peace.

    Reply
  • James Moller says:
    June 26, 2025 at 6:03 pm

    I’m deeply saddened by this news and still trying to process it. But I take comfort in knowing he’s now at peace, watching over us from a higher place. I’ll truly miss the phone calls and the conversations we shared, long after our time working together. He was always a man of integrity and wanting to do the right thing. Rest in peace my friend.

    Reply
  • Judy Clayton says:
    June 26, 2025 at 6:49 pm

    My deepest sympathies to all you Ensigns. I have such great memories of spending time at the farm with all you kids. We’d make the trek over the toll bridge to hang out at your place. Rusty was a good friend to me as a kid and in college. Seems wrong that he’s no longer here. RIP Rusty.

    Reply
  • Larry Mintz says:
    June 27, 2025 at 8:24 pm

    My condolences to the Ensign family. I met Rusty about 25 years ago through a shared interest in the future of our community and the form that its future governance should take. We then served four years together as members of the Westside Governance Committee leading to the eventual incorporation of the City of West Kelowna. While Rusty and I did not always agree on the best way forward, his loyalty to his home and his desire to advance the Westside was never in doubt. My admiration for his courage and determination grew stronger the longer I knew him. His contributions to the form, character and institutions of West Kelowna were remarkable.

    Reply
  • Aurelle Law says:
    July 4, 2025 at 10:45 am

    We are so sorry to hear about Rusty’s passing. Our thoughts are with you.

    Reply

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Judith Szabo

Everything was so organized and pertinent to what we needed. Everyone we met was kind, courteous and very helpful during our emotional and challenging time. Thank you so much.

Heather Mayne

They were so prompt on answering any questions and changing things. They were prepared and respected any religious decisions. The process was so seamless and made easy in such a high stress situation.

Tanya Kohar

In the past 2 years Springfield has helped us through the death of my Mother and my Father. Their response and help allowed us to focus on the remaining family rather than worrying about details of the funeral and all the notifications that are required upon a death.

Terry Eldridge

The atmosphere has been nothing but professional during times of grief.  After the passing of my mother, the staff coached me on the next steps and looked after filling in all the government forms that I needed to sign, which took a huge burden off my mind at the time.

Donald McClure

Everyone was so helpful and kind.  There was no pressure.  They provided exactly what we needed.

Diane Greenwood

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Katherine Lewis

I have always found the team at Springfield Funeral Home to be VERY caring, kind, considerate and helpful.  I have and will continue to recommend them to anyone who asks which funeral home would I suggest they use.  No other funeral home I have dealt with even comes close to Springfield Funeral Home.

Ethna Tutt

Right at the onset, I was made very comfortable, there was no pressure.  I was made to feel as if I was the only one they had to serve.

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Jacquelene Bluschke

I liked the personal treatment given to my mother who is 97 years old. As her representative, I found Springfield employees pleasant and sincere, helpful and knowledgeable. Something I didn’t know, was that the funeral home would help me get through the paperwork need at this time. I am very thankful for that.

Janice Cornell

Genuine concern, excellent service, very professional. Since this was my first experience (with a funeral home), everything was above and beyond what I expected.

Randy Hatanaka

Thank you to your team for your kindness to me at a very challenging time.  You have now taken care of both of my parents with professionalism and care.

Nancy Farran

Springfield Funeral Home is always professional, caring and very knowledgeable.  We appreciate that you have dedicated staff for all needs from planning the service to completing government paperwork.

Timothy Morio Tahara

I am not sure there was anything you could have done to make a very intense emotional time less stressful.  Although we hadn’t expected Ken to want a service, when he said we needed to have one for us not him, it was true.  Your sincerity and compassion meant everything to us.  Thank you.

Gwen Harvie

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Myra Neuman

Keep up the good work that you do as it is such an important service you provide.  It is still the most difficult time in a person’s life.  Your kindness is so appreciated.  We appreciated the peace of mind that everything was being looked after.

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