Esther DeRuiter

Esther DeRuiter, 92, went to her heavenly home on Sunday, January 17, 2016. She was born November 6, 1923 in Richland Township, Missaukee County to John and Maggie (Grashuis) Bode, and they preceded her in death. On September 8, 1944 she married Ren A. DeRuiter, and he preceded her in death on May 13, 2001. For most of her life she lived in Lucas and for the last 4 Ã‚Â½ years she lived at Aurora Pond retirement home in Wyoming, MI. Esther worked as a nurse's aide at Mercy Hospital and at Medical Arts (now Great Lakes Family Care) for many years. She was a member of Lucas Rehoboth Reformed Church and was active there in the Esther Circle and as a Sunday School Teacher. Mrs. DeRuiter was an active prayer warrior and enjoyed playing scrabble with friends. She enjoyed flower gardening, knitting, crocheting, reading and canning. Mrs. DeRuiter is survived by her children: Ron (Mary) DeRuiter of Grand Rapids, Sharon (Ron) Prins of Caledonia, Joann (Dale) Bogard of Plymouth and Randy (Cathy) DeRuiter of Plymouth; grandchildren: Scott DeRuiter, Rick (Marlys) DeRuiter, Sheila (Todd) Doktor, Steve (Maureen) Prins, Mark (Margo) Prins, Brandon (Andrea) Bogard, Lindsay (Carlos) Juarez, Kate (Andrew) Stacey, and John (fiancÃƒÂ© Alix) DeRuiter; 16 great-grandchildren; siblings: Mae Kuipers of Grand Rapids, Alfred (Nell) Bode of Cadillac, Eleanor (Kerwin) Karsten of McBain; in-laws: Al DeBoer of Lake City, Jane Keim of Grand Rapids, Norma (Don) VanderWerf of Texas, Arlene Mains of Detroit and many nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents and husband, Mrs. DeRuiter was preceded in death by her father- and mother-in-law, Albert and Mina DeRuiter; siblings: Henrietta Bode, Alberta (Lawrence) Brunink, , Evelyn (Jake) Oudman, Louise (Harm) Lindemulder, and Doris DeBoer; in-laws: Peter Kuipers, Genevieve (Martin) Aardema, John (Helena) DeRuiter, Albert (Jeannette) DeRuiter, Pete (Bea) DeRuiter, Gerald (Ida) DeRuiter, Al Keim, Corwin (Theresa) DeRuiter, and Phyllis Baker. Visitation will be Thursday from 6-8 PM at the Rehoboth Reformed Church in Lucas. Funeral services will be held 11:00 AM Friday, January 22, 2016 at the Rehoboth Reformed Church with Pastor Adam Grill officiating. Burial will be at the Richland Township Cemetery in Lucas. Memorial can be made to Rehoboth Reformed Church Missions. An online guestbook is available at www.petersonfh.com.

Esther DeRuiter

November 6, 1923 - January 17, 2016