Leonard Ringelberg

First and foremost, Leonard “Len” Ringelberg was a family man; he loved his two children and three grandchildren equally and unconditionally, and many of his happiest memories in life involved the fifty-five years he spent with his beloved wife, Nancy. Underneath his quick sense of humor and warm, caring disposition was a reservoir of strength, which those around him came to depend on. Len will be remembered as a man who knew that true joy and happiness came from being surrounded by family and friends.

Though the 1920s roared with jazz and flappers, many people were largely removed from the glitz and glamour associated with these times. This was particularly true in the Midwest, where most families made their livelihoods cultivating the land. In Grand Rapids, Michigan, Adrian “Ed” Ringelberg and his wife, Johanna (Wybenga), lived on their family farm on Remembrance Street on the northwest side of town. However, besides managing the farm, Adrian earned a living as a painter and was the custodian of the Highland Hills Christian Reformed Church. Meanwhile, Johanna put her excellent sewing skills to use as a seamstress while also tending to their house and family. The Ringelberg household would eventually include eight children, one of which was their son, Leonard Donald, born on November 2, 1929.

Len, as he was called, was the oldest boy in the family; he had six sisters: Wilma “Billie”, Marian, Joan, Edna, Jackie and Betty, and a brother, Don. After his fifth sister was born, Len felt a little outnumbered and even ran away for a day, protesting “another girl.” Farm life meant there were always chores to be done and Len had to get up early every morning before heading off to school to get his done. He was often greeted by the morning doves “cooing”, which only reminded him that he didn’t like early mornings. When it came time to play, Len could usually be found riding his bike and he also played football in school. Len attended the Oakleigh Public Schools until the tenth grade, and then went to work at an area grocery store.

In 1950, Len received his draft notice from the U.S. Army, and honorably served for three years as a cook and had attained the rank of Sergeant. It was during this time that Len first met his beautiful wife, Nancy, while stationed in Westview, Pennsylvania. He took her for a ride in his friend’s convertible car, and as they said, the rest is history. After a whirlwind romance of two months, the couple was married at St. John’s Lutheran Church, in Ingomar, Pennsylvania on August 1, 1952. Since Len had to be back on base the next day, the newlyweds didn’t have time for a honeymoon. They made their first home together in Carne, PA, which was five minutes from the base. After Len’s discharge from the Army, the couple moved back to Michigan, where they welcomed the birth of their two children: Julie in 1953 and Michael in 1954.

For Len, family was always his first priority and he worked hard to provide the best for them. He began a career in meat cutting at Heyboers Market in Standale before becoming the Regional Sales Manager of Eckrich products in Illinois. The family lived here for the duration of Len’s job, but later moved back to the Grand Rapids area, where Len operated his own meat-cutting business called Windmill Meat Market on Alpine for over 20 years. He eventually sold the market and went to work for Refrigeration Engineering Inc.

Time together as a family was always important to Len and Nancy. Over the years, they made many wonderful memories together taking family vacations to Wisconsin Dells and Lake of the Ozarks in Missouri, and spending time at cottages in the summer with close friends and family, and boating with the children. Every year, the family also headed back to Pennsylvania to visit Nancy’s relatives. After Len retired, he and Nancy began living in Conroe, Texas during the winter months and spent some time in Florida as well. When it came his leisure time, Len took great pride in maintaining an impeccable lawn and keeping his cars shiny clean. An avid golfer, Len was a longtime member of the Elks Country Club, where he enjoyed countless rounds of golf with his many friends and made three holes in one. Len was a pretty good cook on the grill, especially when it came to their Sunday steaks; however, after the couple retired to Texas, Len enjoyed getting up and making breakfast in the morning too. For Len, the best reward after a long week of work was having a piece of Nancy’s homemade apple pie on Fridays, and the food at the country club wasn’t bad either. For his listening pleasure, Len like the music by Fred Haring, Herb Alpert & the Tiawana Brass, and Boots Randolph.

Len Ringelberg served his country as a soldier, his community as a respected businessman and his family as a loving and devoted husband, father and grandfather. His legacy of love and dedication leaves his loved ones with wonderful memories and a strong foundation to look to for comfort.

“Death is the blowing out of the candle because the dawn has come.”

Leonard “Len” Ringelberg, age 77, of Comstock Park, MI, passed away on June 28, 2007, surrounded by his loving family after a courageous battle with lung cancer. He was preceded in death by his parents, Adrian and Johanna Ringelberg, and his sister, Joan Fay. Len is survived by his beloved wife of 55 years, Nancy; his children: son Michael (Marie) Ringelberg of Sparta, and daughter Julie Ringelberg of Standale; granddaughter, Mahaelani, of Wyoming; grandsons, Michael “Ypsi” of Sparta and Shaun of Tempe, AZ; great grandson, Christopher; sisters: Wilma “Billie”, Marian, Edna, Jackie (Clifford) and Betty; brother, Don (Joy); brother-in-law, Ken; nieces and nephews as well as numerous relatives from Nancy’s family in the Pittsburgh, PA area.

Funeral services will be held on Sunday, July 1, at 2:00 p.m. at Orchard Hill Reformed Church, 1465 Three Mile Rd. NW. Relatives and friends may meet with the family at Heritage Life Story Funeral Homes – Alt & Shawmut Hills Chapel, 2120 Lake Michigan Dr. NW in Grand Rapids, on Saturday, June 30, from 7-9 p.m. and on Sunday from 1:00 p.m. until the time of the service at the church. Memorial contributions in Len’s memory may be made to Faith Hospice. Thanks to Lack’s Cancer Center and Faith Hospice for the love and care shown to Len and his family. Please visit Len’s memory page at www.lifestorynet.com where you may share a memory of him or sign his online guest book.