Ruth Diephuis

Hardworking, respectful, and kind, Ruth Diephuis lived a life rich in faith and family. Ruth was a woman who embodied the principles of her faith, with a clear vision and steadfast determination to do what was right. Ruth’s steadfast faith inspired her to remain hopeful even in the face of life’s hardships. A lifelong learner, Ruth was smart, resourceful, and always eager to teach others, especially those she loved. A devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and friend, Ruth will long be remembered and so very missed.

Despite the obvious gloom of the Great Depression,1931 beheld a power of hope that undulated in the hearts of many. With a natural drive to not just endure but thrive in the face of uncertainty, the nation continued to put one foot in front of the other to build a better future. Nowhere was there a greater sense of hope than in the home of Peter and Sadie (Beninga) DeWaard as they welcomed their daughter Hermina Ruth to their family on January 16 in Kanawha, Iowa.

The second of the five DeWaard children, Ruth grew up on the family farm with her older sister, Adrianna, and three younger brothers, Gary, Herman, and John. As she never liked her given name, she always went by Ruth. From her earliest days, Ruth was responsible for working her chores both outside and indoors. Whether milking the cows, helping with her younger siblings, or learning to cook, Ruth was a hard worker. She quickly understood the importance of being resourceful, thrifty, and steadfast in the face of the Great Depression’s constraints on the family. Anything of use was kept, and there was a use for everything. These lifelong values led her to make banana bread in soup cans for the rest of her life. Never one to complain, even when she had to take a year off of school to help support the family, Ruth grew into a determined young lady willing to sacrifice for those she loved.

The roots of Ruth’s faith were established in the family home and at Wright Christian Reformed Church. Many of the lighter moments of fun in her youth included attending church picnics and how she would get ice cream when she went to Mission Fest, a church-based festival. Family reunions were also good times.

After graduating from Kanawha High School in 1949, Ruth did not want to stay on the farm. Instead, she decided to attend Calvin College and earn her teaching certificate. Her parents dropped her off on campus, and Ruth worked for her room and board by ironing clothes and babysitting. Despite the hard work, she enjoyed this time of life, and with signature determination and hard work, Ruth earned her teaching certificate in 1951. With her degree in hand, Ruth secured a job teaching fourth grade at Westside Christian School from 1951 to 1955.

While a student at Calvin, Ruth was introduced to Roger Diephuis by a mutual friend. The couple began dating, and after Rog returned from his military service in Korea, he and Ruth were married on Tuesday, August 4, 1953, in Iowa.

After honeymooning in the Black Hills of South Dakota, the newlyweds returned to Grand Rapids. In 1956, the family grew with a son, Dan, and shortly after, they moved to their home on Louise Street in Jenison, where they would welcome three more children, Sheryl, Brian, and Lori, over the next 16 years.

With their faith as the firm foundation of their family life, Ruth and Roger prioritized their time with their children and their church family at 12th Avenue Christian Reformed Church. Ruth remained home running the family while submitting to Roger's authority. Never one to tell the kids, “Wait until your father gets home,” Ruth had a clear vision of right and wrong and the path that leads to success, and she made sure the kids stayed on that path. She ran the house in her way, making healthy meals and keeping things organized and clean. Having learned to make pies from her mother, she made the best pies with her hand-mixed pie crusts. In addition to caring for her family and home, Ruth taught Bible Club to kids after school and was part of the mother’s club at the kids’ school.

A very sharp woman, Ruth always looked forward and planned for the future. From looking out for Roger’s parents to finding ways to help pay for the kids’ Christian Education to finding income opportunities through rental houses and being Amway Distributors, Ruth’s industriousness and forethought were always in action. Though things were not always easy for her, and she wasn’t perfect, Ruth was determined and resilient, teaching her children that there is nothing they cannot do! She showed them how to confidently face life, take it one day at a time, and look for joy in it.

The family enjoyed some vacations and traveling, including camping for one or two weeks each summer. These camping adventures first began at Silver Lake before camping for many years at Pentwater and Holland. Every other year the family took a summer trip to Iowa to see family.

Once the kids were grown, Ruth and Roger moved to a Condo on the NE side of Grand Rapids and began attending Beckwith Hills Christian Reformed Church. With some newfound free time, Ruth sought ways to serve others by volunteering. Passionate about the Lord and wanting others to know Him, she felt that if she could find a way to fill a need, she would display her Christian faith. She volunteered as a Visiting Angel, visiting local senior communities and even folding the laundry once she moved to Edison Manor seven years ago.

A wonderful team, Ruth and Roger complimented one another well. After sharing 46 years of marriage, Roger passed away in 1999. Though she was independent, she missed him dearly. Spending time with her children and grandchildren always softened the loss. She enjoyed playing games with her grandkids, but they often had a purpose. Whether practicing math or learning the states, she never lost her heart for teaching and helping to improve. As with her children, she wanted only the best for them. In quiet times, Ruth worked puzzles, played Suduko, completed Crossword puzzles, and read a lot. She kept in touch with loved ones by phone, and found great comfort in her unwavering faith. She looked forward to the day of being called home to her Lord and Savior.

As we celebrate Ruth’s life, may we find comfort in our many treasured memories and the honor of carrying her legacy forward. In each moment we chose faith, hope, and love, confidently navigate life’s challenges, use our resources wisely, generously give of our time and talents in service of others, share time with loved ones, and consciously continue to learn and grow, we keep Ruth’s memory alive.

Ruth Diephuis, age 93, of Grand Rapids, MI, passed away peacefully on November 14, 2024, at Edison Christian Nursing Home in Grand Rapids.

Ruth is survived by her children: Dan and Betty Diephuis, Sheryl Bigelow, Brian and Pam Diephuis, and Bob and Lori Lee. Ruth is also survived by her grandchildren: Jeff and Kelly Diephuis, Andrew and Tracy Oostema, Ryan and Pam Diephuis, Mark and Jana Bykerk, Chad Diephuis, Brianne Vander Meer, Kyle and Kristen Diephuis, Aubrey Diephuis, Parker and Hannah McCloud, Gavin McQueen, Avery McQueen, Carson McQueen, Grady McQueen, and Regan McQueen; her 13 great-grandchildren; sister-in-law, Mary Lou Heetland; and brother-in-law, Terry Kimber.

In addition to her husband, Roger, Ruth was preceded in death by her son-in-law, Ron Bigelow; sister and brother-in-law, Adrianna and Duane Beving; brothers and sisters-in-law: Gary DeWaard, Herman and Ann DeWaard, John and Bev DeWaard; brother-in-law, Marvin DeVries; and sisters-in-law: Evelyn DeVries and Mary Ellen Kimber.

The service to remember and celebrate Ruth’s life will be held on Friday, November 22, 2024, at 12 Noon at Heritage Life Story Funeral Home-Van Strien Creston Chapel, 1833 Plainfield Ave., N.E, Grand Rapids, MI 49505, where friends are invited to visit with her family beginning at 11 AM. Interment to follow in Woodlawn Cemetery. For those who wish, memorial contributions to either Edison Christian Foundation or Faith Hospice are appreciated. To read more about Ruth, share a memory, or to sign her guestbook, visit www.heritagelifestory.com