Ruth Meendering

RUTH MEENDERING, 76, of Sioux Center, IA died Monday, August 24, 2009, at her home surrounded by her family.

Funeral services will be held Friday at 10:30AM at First Reformed Church of Sioux Center with Rev. Roger Voskuil officiating. Interment will follow the service in Memory Gardens Cemetery of Sioux Center.

Visitation will be held Thursday from 4-8PM with the family present from 6-8PM at Memorial Funeral Home of Sioux Center.

The Meendering family prefers memorials be directed to CHEARS Home Health and Hospice.

Ruth Meendering was born to George G. and Dora A. (Van Wyk) Vande Garde on April 8, 1933, in Hull, Iowa. She grew up on a farm near Hull, Iowa and attended school there, graduating from Hull High School in 1950. She was valedictorian of her high school class and had just turned 17 when she graduated. Because she was so young, her father, George, did not want her traveling to Central College in Pella, Iowa, so she went to Northwestern College in Orange City, Iowa. There she earned an AA Elementary Education degree in 1952. From 1952 to 1956, Ruth taught elementary grades at various schools in rural Sioux County, and Little Rock, Iowa.

On October 1, 1952, Ruth married George Meendering of Hull, Iowa, in a ceremony held at the First Reformed Church of Hull, Iowa. Shortly after marrying, George was drafted into the army and served two years while Ruth lived in Fort Knox, Kentucky, for a time. Upon George's discharge, Ruth and George went to live on a farm outside Hull, where they stayed until 1962. They moved to Sioux Center and bought a home in town where she lived until she passed away. Ruth spent her time raising her family of five children, while also becoming a certified nurse's aide and working at the wing of the Sioux Center Community Hospital for 25 years. This was a job that in her own words, "She truly loved." She retired from being an aide after undergoing a "cutting edge" back surgical procedure but continued to serve as a volunteer at the hospital in many capacities. One of her fondest joys was writing "memorial services" for dozens of her patients at the wing who passed away. These services were appreciated by the family and friends of the people she memorialized and were one way she utilized her love for writing.

Ruth was a member of the First Reformed Church of Hull, Iowa, until moving to Sioux Center, where she joined the First Reformed Church of Sioux Center, Iowa. She remained a member there until her death and served her Lord in many ways throughout the years. She was a Sunday school teacher and member, nursery attendant, active in the Ladies Circle, and a member of various Bible studies and care groups, one which lasted for over 25 years.

Ruth's hobbies included sewing for her family and making quilts. Each child and grandchild has at least one quilt made by her as a keepsake. She also enjoyed listening to music and remained a fan of the Lawrence Welk show long into syndication. Ruth also enjoyed watching the British comedies on Public television no matter how many times she saw each episode. A big fan of basketball, Ruth and George went to many Sioux Center high school basketball games, girls and boys, through the years, traveling to the Iowa State Championships when an area team made the playoffs. Later she also became an avid LA Lakers fan watching games on television (and once in person) whenever she could. She enjoyed theatre and plays as well, often traveling to Des Moines for such treats. Within her family she is known for writing a Van Wyk family letter every month, with copies mailed all over the United States. This was something her mother and sister had done before her. She will always be remembered by her family for the funny rhyming poems she wrote at Christmas time which accompanied her gifts. Lastly, Ruth will be remembered as a great hostess to her friends and family. She truly understood the old-fashioned concept of hospitality and welcome.

We are sincerely grateful as a family for all the prayers, visits and care shown by countless friends and relatives. Ruth was blessed with many long and enduring friendships that sustained her including the class of 1950. We also thank Hospice and the nurses, aides and workers who cared so lovingly for her while in their care. You are a blessing from God. She received the gentle care she herself had given so many through the years.

Ruth's greatest joy was her family. She was preceded in death by her brothers, Gerald C. Vande Garde and Donald H. Vande Garde and her sister, Muriel (Vande Garde) Koele. She is survived by her loving husband, George Meendering, and her five children and their spouses: Mona (Meendering) and Hughley Prince of Inwood, WV; Ron and Teri Meendering of Des Moines, IA; Nyla (Meendering) and Roger Nyhuis of Sioux Center, IA; Lyle and Lorri Meendering of Visalia, CA.; and Larryl Meendering of Des Moines, IA. She also has five grandchildren: Matthew Prince, Britni Meendering, Graham Meendering, Georan Meendering and Hannah Meendering. Her unwavering love for God and her family will be a legacy to us all.