Ruth E. (VanderMeulen) Schuiteman

Ruth Schuiteman left us to be with Jesus on  Tuesday,  May 14, at American House of Holland.  She was a sweet, quiet and classy lady who will be so very  missed.  Ruth was born in Grand Rapids, MI on October 30, 1926, to Bert and Tillie (Spoelstra) VanderMeulen.  Her family moved to Fremont when she was 5 years old, where she attended and graduated from Fremont Public Schools.  She also attended Calvin College for a semester.  In 1946 she married the love of her life, her high school sweetheart, Marvin Schuiteman, after he finished serving in the Army Air Corps.  They both worked at Gerber Products until they began their family. Marv went on to work at, and later own, Reber’s Men’s Wear in Fremont.  Family was everything to both of them, and Ruth created a wonderful, loving home for their children:  Gay and Robert.  She was always there for her children, and created wonderful memories with and for them.  Robert (Bob) passed away in 1977 from cancer, and this left a huge hole in all of their hearts.  Marv passed away in 2006, and the hole got bigger.  But Ruth carried on with grace and dignity, upheld by her faith in God.  She had a deep love for her family, and was always delighted to see them.  Marv and Ruth were charter members of Trinity Christian Reformed Church in Fremont, and she enjoyed different service opportunities there.  After her children were grown, Ruth worked in the billing department at Gerber Hospital for several years before joining Marv in retirement in 1988.  They then enjoyed many years of wintering in Palmetto, FL.  After Marv’s death, Ruth remained in Fremont, where for several years she enjoyed Thursday morning breakfasts with the Schuitemans, and  coffees and  lunches with her dear friends.  She kept busy with reading, watching TV, and knitting.  In later years she preferred to just stay home.  She finally moved to Holland in December of 2018 to be closer to Gay and her family.  She loved seeing family frequently, and was adjusting to her new life, but 2 falls and 2 hip fractures within 2 months took their toll, and she quietly slipped away.  She was dearly loved and will be missed, but we rejoice that she is with her Lord and Savior, and reunited with Bob and Marv.  Ruth was pre-deceased by her precious Bob and Marv, her parents, brother-in-law Gerald Deters, and Marv’s parents Ed and Gertrude, and 2nd wife Hattie; Marv’s  brothers, sisters and their spouses:  Evert and Connie Schuiteman, John and Helene Schuiteman, Mike and Barb Schuiteman, Alice and Barney Combs, Anna and Elmer Luchies, Gladys and Art DeKuiper, Margaret and Engbert Visscher.  She is survived by her loving daughter and son-in-law, Gay and Jerry Wallinga of Zeeland; 4 wonderful granddaughters and grandsons-in-law:   Jillyn and Alex Pfeiffle of Rockford, Laurel and Kevin VanDyke of Grand Rapids; Jamie and Andy Compagner of Zeeland, and Lindy and Christian Tichelar of Grand Haven;  10 precious great-grandchildren:  Kennedy, Ashlyn, Brinley and Tessa Pfeiffle; Harrison and Anna VanDyke; Brooks and Avery Compagner; and Harper and Camden Tichelar.  She also leaves behind her sister, Dorothy Deters of Grand Rapids, and many nieces and nephews. She loved them all so much, and the children loved their sweet “Nana Ruth.”  We are so very grateful for the wonderful and loving care given by all of the staff at American House, and Hospice of Holland. Services will be held at Trinity Christian Reformed Church on  Thursday, May 16  at 4 PM, led by Pastor Ron Baker.  You may visit with the family before the service, beginning at 3 pm at the church.  Memorials  may be given to Zeeland Christian Schools or Hospice of Holland.  You can sign the online guest book at www.kroeze-wolffis.com.  Arrangements are by Kroeze-Wolffis Funeral Home, Inc. of Fremont.

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