Ruth Doezema, age 87, of Martin, died Sunday, Oct. 16, at her home.
She was born Sept. 20, 1929, the daughter of James and Edna (Portele) DeYoung and was raised in Wayland. Her father worked as a mail carrier while her mother was a homemaker. Ruth and her old sister, Evelyn, attend area schools. In school, Ruth was a member of the choir and excelled in the Glee Club, leading to a life-long love of singing and music. She played clarinet in her school band before graduating from Wayland High School in 1946.
After graduating, she worked for a short time in a local factory before meeting Leon Doezema. Ruth and Leon accompanied her parents on a cros- country trip in 1947, traveling on historic Route 66 to California. Ruth and Leon were married in 1948 and before long they started a family of their own.
They were blessed with seven daughters, Dawn, Diane, Deborah, Denise, Desiree, Doreen and Darcy. Leon was a dairy farmer by trade and the two operated a small dairy farm in Martin Township. It was not unusual to see Ruth operating a tractor and other equipment, when she was not tending to the children.
Ruth taught most of the girls how to sew, although a few resisted the craft. Ruth made the girls matching dresses and had them sing together in church. The family enjoyed camping trips and cabins on Gun Lake and made a trip to picturesque Tahquamenon Falls in the Upper Peninsula. An inexpensive treat at the time for the large family was going out for ice cream and family picnics.
Ruth was as talented in the kitchen as she was at the sewing machine. Her knowledge served her well while working at Boysen’s Grocery Store. Many of her customers often asked for tips and advice on cooking and selecting meat. As her daughters began having lives and families of their own, Ruth’s husband Leon died in 1975.
Life for Ruth then took a new turn when she met her longtime companion, Verl Scott. Though they never married, the 42 years she and Verl spent together created lasting memories. They traveled together to Arizona and Oklahoma, as well as other states out west. Always up for a new experience, they took a motorcycle trip to the U.P. In later years, Ruth and Verl loved to drive around the countryside visiting yard sales.
Ruth was an avid gardener. She always had a bountiful vegetable garden and her house was surrounded by beautiful plants and flowers. She also loved birds and would sit outside or at her window identifying the birds that visited the bird feeders.
Ruth enjoyed all kinds of music, especially soft jazz and big band music. She and Verl enjoyed bluegrass music and attended festivals. Throughout the years, she traveled often with her daughters, visiting Hawaii, Tennessee, Illinois and even Spain.
Surviving are her partner of 42 years, Verl Scott; her daughters: Dawn (Gary) Henningson, Diane (Howard) Conley, Deborah Noteboom, Desiree Doezema, Doreen (Mark) Gilson, and Darcy (Scott Kuykendall) Doezema. Ruth has 15 grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren as well as several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Leon; her sister, Evelyn Thomas; daughter, Denise Westfall; son-in-law, Edwin Noteboom; and grandson, Konrad Whitt.
Friends may visit with her family and friends from 2 to 4 p.m. Monday, Oct. 24, at Life Story Funeral Home; 120 S. Woodhams St. Plainwell. A memorial service will follow at 4 p.m.at the same location.
Please visit Ruth’s memory page at www.lifestorynet.com Memorial donations can be made to Wings of Hope Hospice.
