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Ruth Cook

March 1, 1929 - May 24, 2018
Grand Rapids, MI

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Service

Tuesday, May 29, 2018
2:00 PM EDT
Rest Haven Homes
1424 Union NE
Grand Rapids, MI 49505

Friends may visit with her family from 1:30 PM until the service as well as immediately after the service

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Web Site

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At the family's request memorial contributions are to be made to those listed below. Please forward payment directly to the memorial of your choice.

Rest Haven Homes
1424 Union NE
Grand Rapids, MI 49505
Web Site

Life Story / Obituary


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The year 1929 is often recalled as the year of the historic crash of the stock market that resulted in the downward spiral into the depths of the Great Depression. The days that followed were anything but easy, and there were few American families who did not feel the strain. It was just prior to the historic day on the stock market that John and Victoria (Macksey) Cuthbert were eagerly anticipating the birth of their new baby as the promise of spring first began to appear on the horizon in Detroit, Michigan, in late February of 1929. The big day finally arrived when the baby girl they named Ruth drew her first breath on March 1st. Sadly, her mother died when Ruth was just a young girl of 16.

In many ways Ruth was a young girl of her generation. She attended local schools including Fordson High School until graduating. Around age 12, she and her best friend decided to start attending church. Ruth came to faith in Christ while attending Scofield Memorial Baptist Church. It was here that she was introduced to a young man, Guy Holtzhouse, Jr. In time, their relationship grew into love. With a desire to spend the rest of their lives together, Ruth and Guy were married at his mother's home. Together they welcomed four children including Ruthanne, Kevin, Carol Jean, and David, all within a period of nine years. Eventually their growing family moved to Warren. Over the years, Ruth and her family made many memories together. The family faithfully attended Gratiot Avenue Baptist Church (Detroit), and later Redeemer Baptist Church (Warren). Ruth's family enjoyed going out for trips on their boat, but she was not a fan of water; however, she did enjoy watching the lake and ocean freighters pass through the Detroit River. After Guy retired, they moved to Higgins Lake where they lived in a wonderful community. Many of their friends from a previous church also lived there. In 1990, Ruth was saddened with Guy's death, but she did remain in their home up at Higgins Lake for several years.

In 2000, she moved to Grand Rapids to be closer to family. In her free time, Ruth enjoyed reading--primarily classic and religious fiction. She also liked watching Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy. For a five-year span, she volunteered weekly at Frederik Meijer Gardens. Ruth attended Calvary Church during this time and made many new friends. She met Roy Cook in the adult Sunday School class. Ruth and Roy were married in 2007 and they lived in a house he had helped to build in Wyoming, Michigan. After five years there, Roy passed away (2012). Ruth was able to remain in their home for a few more years. It was about eighteen months ago that Ruth moved to Rest Haven Home where she had her own apartment, enjoyed Christian fellowship, and some new activities.

Ruth Cook (Holtzhouse), age 89, went home to be with the Lord on May 24, 2018, after a brief illness. She was preceded in death by her first husband, Guy Holtzhouse, Jr.; her second husband, Roy Cook; and her son, Kevin Holtzhouse. Ruth is survived by her children Ruthanne (Terry) O'Brien of Clinton Township, Carol Jean Jones of Belmont, and David (Carol) Holtzhouse of Safety Harbor, Florida; grandchildren Shelley (Bob) Johannes, Shari (Mark) Fields, Jesse (Diana) Pahman, Shane Pahman, Dylan (Kelly) Pahman, Jon (Starr) Holtzhouse, Rachel (Antione) Robinson, Elisabeth (Chris) Shaw, Andrew (Alison) Holtzhouse, Daniel Holtzhouse; step-son David (Sheri) Cook and their children Jonathan and Alyssa; as well as 23 great grandchildren. Her funeral will be held on Tuesday, May 29, 2018, at 2:00 PM, at Rest Haven Home, 1424 Union NE where friends may visit from 1:30 PM until the service at 2:00 PM, and for a time immediately following the service. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Rest Haven Homes. To read more about her life, to share a memory or to sign her guestbook, visit www.lifestorynet.com

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