Ruth C. Van Westen

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RUTH CAROLINE VAN WESTEN was born on June 6, 1924 to John and Edith (Klaassen) Klaassen in George, Iowa. She was baptized at Zoar Presbyterian Church in George, Iowa. Ruth attended Little Rock Public High School and graduated in 1942. She then attended Cedar Falls Teaching College, graduating in 1943. Ruth taught country school from 1943 to 1947. She then taught 3rd-4th grade at Little Rock Public School from 1947 to 1950. She then was secretary at the Iowa Highway Commission in Rock Rapids, Iowa from 1950 to 1952. On December 6, 1952, Ruth was united in marriage to Albertus Van Westen at Salem Reformed Church in Little Rock, Iowa. The couple was blessed with two sons, Keith and Kevin. Ruth and Albertus resided in Rock Rapids after their marriage. In December 1953 they moved to a farm northwest of Luverne where Ruth was a homemaker and housewife. In 2008, Bert and Ruth moved to Luverne, Minnesota where they lived until 2018 when they moved to Parkview Manor Nursing Home in Ellsworth, Minnesota. There they enjoyed many visits from Bert’s sisters, other relatives and friends. Bert died at the age of 96 years, 8 months and 23 days on Thursday, March 12, 2020 at the Sanford Luverne Hospice Cottage. Ruth joined her family in heaven on Sunday, February 28, 2021 while at Parkview Manor at the age of 96 years, 8 months and 22 days.

Ruth was a member of American Reformed Church in Luverne. She enjoyed collecting cookbooks, spoons and mugs of the individual United States.

Ruth is survived by her two sons, Keith (Caroline Marion) Van Westen of Luverne and Kevin (Kathy) Van Westen of Sioux Falls, South Dakota; three grandchildren, Sarah Van Westen, Justin (Amanda) Van Westen, and Brandon (fiancée, Elizabeth Soukup) Van Westen; and two great-grandchildren, Megan and Daniel Van Westen. She was preceded in death by her husband, Bert; six brothers, Harmon Klaassen, Raymond Klaassen, John Klaassen, Paul Klaassen, Ronald Klaassen and Alfred Klaassen; and five sisters, Esther Klinkenborg, Alma DeBuhr, Lois Snitselaar, Erma Wagenaar and Helena Sprock.