Lynne Kay Deruyter

LYNNE KAY DERUYTER, known to many as Mit, was born to the late Harvey and Mary (DeBates) Matthiesen on August 8, 1960, the second of twins, in Pipestone, MN. She was raised in Jasper where she attended grade and secondary school there, graduating in 1978. She was active in volleyball, basketball, choir, band, and FHA. She was baptized and confirmed at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Jasper. In the early 1970’s Father Andy taught her and her twin sister guitar. She continued her education at Southeast Area Vocational and Technical School in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, graduating in 1979 with a licensed practical nursing diploma.
On April 12, 1980, she married Bryan DeRuyter at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Jasper. Bry and Mit were avid motorcycle riders and travelers. They made it to thirty-four states, mostly on two wheels, including nearly annual trips to the Sturgis and Daytona Rallies and Laughlin River Run. They were full of life, love, and laughter and were soul mates from the first time they met, and will be forever.
In 1984, she gave her life to Jesus and in 1999 rededicated her life to Him, accepting Him as her personal Lord and Savior. She was rebaptized in 2000, her and Bry became members of the Windom and Pipestone Seventh Day Adventist Church. She was involved with the women’s ministry, was a deaconess, greeter, and Sabbath school superintendent assistant.
She loved her family: especially her sisters, brothers, nieces, and nephews. Anyone that met her loved her because of her infectious and contagious smile and love. She had an amazing way of showing people that she cared about them and shared with them her passion for the Lord. This showed with her forty years of work caring for the elderly. In her work, she would read with the people, sing with the people, and pray with the people she cared for: making sure they knew the Lord. Her health started to decline in June 2017, as she was diagnosed with stomach cancer, which resulted in her retirement at the age of 56 years.
She enjoyed nature, especially the ocean. She collected lighthouses, always feeling Jesus was the lighthouse and she was the ship. She also collected Bibles, presenting them to anyone who needed one; including personalized ones for her nieces and nephews. She had a green thumb and loved vegetable and flower gardening. She also loved music; so in celebration of her life, she would want us to sing.
She passed away on January 26, 2018 in her home surrounded by her family. She was 57 years, 5 months, and 18 days.
Lynne is survived by her loving husband, Bryan of Okabena. Her twin sister LeeAnne DeRuyter (Greg) of Okabena, nieces and nephews Carrissa (Ryan) Haberman, Troy (Britt) DeRuyter, Travis DeRuyter, Chelsea (Trevor) Wintz, and Trent (Chelsey) DeRuyter and families. Her brother Bruce Matthiesen of Jasper, niece and nephews Bryce (Erica) Matthiesen, Bridget (Jim) Benz, and Weston (Mandy) Matthiesen and families. Her sister Dianne Lorenzen (Glenn) of Jasper, nieces Melissa (Clarence) Lorenzen and Sara Lorenzen and families. Her mother-in-law Margaret DeRuyter of Holland, brother-and-sister in laws: Deb Gerdes of Holland, nieces and nephew Stacy, Jenny, and Travis and families; Barb (Ken) Brinkhous of Hardwick, niece Chassidy and family, Brent (JoAnn) DeRuyter of Ruthton, niece and nephew Melissa and Cullen and families, Karen (Wayne) DeGroot of Ruthton, nieces Brittany, Amy, and Ashley and families, Jeff (Shelli) DeRuyter of Holland, nephew and nieces Jason, Megan, and Morgan and families; Todd (Osi) DeRuyter of Holland, nephews and niece Jesse, Chris, John, and Margarie and family, Rich (Stephanie) DeRuyter of Ruthton, nephews and nieces Levi, Dylan, Isaiah, Sierra, Clay, and Sadie and families; Lynette (Jerry) Jolitz of Thief River Falls, nephews Eric and Taylor; Gary (Bernie) DeRuyter of Lake Benton, niece and nephews McKenzie, Cole, and Grant; Doug (Judy) DeRuyter of Holland, nephews and niece Mason, Cody, Alyssa, and Jordan; Connie Fletcher of Holland, nephews and niece Devon, Travon, and Justice; Dave (Marge) DeRuyter of Holland, nieces and nephew, Tammy, Bobby, and Shaina; and Chad DeRuyter of Holland. Many special friends were also a part of Bry and Mit’s life.
Preceding her in death were her grandparents, parents Harvey and Mary Matthiesen, father-in-law John DeRuyter, and great-niece Kelley Lorenzen.