Ruth Van De Kieft

February 9, 1949 - March 25, 2017

Ruth Darlene Van De Kieft loved music, her family and the Lord. She enjoyed being outside and working with plants and animals. Ruth embodied strength and support to all who knew and loved her. We are heartbroken to share that she departed this world at age 68 on March 25, 2017. She was born to Bernard Clarence and Dorothy (Van Engelenhoven) Meinders on February 9, 1949 in Oskaloosa. Ruth’s childhood was spent outside in the sunshine with her dad and brothers, Junior and Bruce. She started piano lessons at a young age and showed great talent and love for music and the piano. She had a special relationship with her grandpa, Nicklaus Meinders and had many wonderful memories of him. Ruth loved sharing the stories of her youth and, in later years, those were some of the last moments she could recall. Ruth graduated from Oskaloosa Christian Grade School and Pella Christian High School. On February 23, 1967 Ruth married Maurice Van De Kieft at her parents’ home. They moved to a small house south of Oskaloosa and started a family when their daughter, Shari Lynn, was born. In 1969, they moved their family to Pella. Their family expanded when their second daughter, Suzanne Marie, was born in 1970. Ruth had a great love for children. She was a homemaker at this time, but also touched the lives of many other children by providing care in her home and teaching piano lessons. In 1974, the family moved to a farm south of Oskaloosa. On these 55 acres many idyllic memories were made. In 1981, they bought the farm on the highway and built their own dairy business. Ruth was an exceptionally hard worker and her home was always open for coffee time after the morning milking was done. In 1983, to great joy and anticipation, Julie Renae was born. Ruth also grew a large garden and decorated the yard with many flowers. In 1991, Ruth began working with flowers professionally, cutting and grading roses at DeJong’s Greenhouse. She became more and more involved at the greenhouse and, in 2000, she became manager. The family moved into Oskaloosa. Ruth continued in this capacity until 2007. Ruth was raised in the First Christian Reformed Church of Oskaloosa and made profession of faith at an early age. She had a deep faith and love for God and instilled her faith and values to her daughters. She was a very active member. She was a Calvinette leader for 20 years. Also, Ruth used her musical talents to play the piano for the young children’s Sunday School program for many, many years. If there is one quality to define her life, it was her strength. Ruth never gave up. Her support was unwavering for those she loved. She encouraged her daughters and grandsons to be independent, to set and reach their own goals. She was an incredibly intelligent lady. Some found her strength and conviction to be daunting. Ruth lived her life to her own standards and those of her faith. Her friendship and loyalty, once gained, was never lost. Alzheimer’s took Ruth’s life away, little by little. It took her independence. It took her memories. Her strength and determination, both evident in the battle she put up for the last eight years but, eventually, Alzheimer’s took her life. We will forever know the joy of Ruth in our lives. Her enduring love and strength can never be taken from the lives she touched. She was preceded in death by her parents, Bernard and Dorothy Meinders, her father-in-law, Marion G. Van De Kieft, her grandson, Jake Ethan Baumgardner and her brother-in-law, Gene Van De Kieft. Ruth is survived by her husband, Moe Van De Kieft and her three daughters; Shari (Gene) Fynaardt, Suzanne (Jeff) Baumgardner and Julie Van De Kieft (Eric Sytsma) and by her beloved grandchildren Timathy (Shoshannah) Newendorp, Daniel (Jennifer) Newendorp, Rachel Baumgardner, Lincoln and Easton Courtney. Step-Granddaughters Brook (Austin) Blackwell, Paige (Joe) Pierson, and Cora Sytsma and Step-Great-Grandchildren Banx and Bond Blackwell and Beau, Baine and Piper Pierson. Mother-in-law Margaret Van De Kieft, brothers & sisters-in-law Bernard Jr. (Carolyn) Meinders and Bruce (Arlene) Meinders, brother-in-law & sister-in-law John (Anne) Van De Kieft and sister-in-law Mary Van De Kieft. And, many nieces and nephews, cousins and extended family. In lieu of flowers, we ask that you reach out to someone you love and tell them how much they mean to you. Do it today. There may not be another moment; there may not be another memory to create. Take the time God has gifted to you and make sure you let others know how much they mean to you and how they have touched your life. While Ruth loved flowers, she loved helping people more. If you feel moved to make a donation in honor of her memory, please consider the following. We can think of no other place where she truly felt inspired than the First Christian Reformed Church. We can only hope that with donations and prayer that a cure or even reliable treatment can be found for Alzheimer’s disease. We pray that if this disease is found in someone you love that you seek the appropriate support and care, as a family, at a wonderful, caring facility like the Serenity House. Funeral services will be held Monday, March 27, 2017, at 2 p.m. in the First Christian Reformed Church in Oskaloosa with Reverend Brad Meinders officiating. There will be a family prayer service at 1:45 on Monday in the basement of the church. Burial will be in the Forest Cemetery in Oskaloosa. The Bates Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements. Visitation will begin Sunday after 1 p.m. in the Bates Funeral Chapel and the family will be at the funeral chapel from 2-4 Sunday afternoon to greet friends and relatives.