Ruth Newman

Ruth Newman was a woman rich in the things that count in life – a strong work ethic, a constant support to those close to her and above all, an unconditional love for her children, grandchildren and family. Ruth treasured every moment she spent in the company of her family and friends, for they were the ones who brought her life immeasurable joy.

The year was 1921, Douglas Fairbanks starred in the Mark of Zorro and Franklin D. Roosevelt was stricken with polio. That same year, on March 2nd, Fredrick J. Korten and his wife, Abbie (TenElshof), of Grand Rapids, Michigan delighted in welcoming the birth of their daughter, Ruth, the youngest of their four children.

Ruth grew up on the west side of Grand Rapids, and received her education in the area schools. She was such a spunky child and so full of energy, which often times led her to find some kind of mischief. As a teenager, Ruth put her energy into having fun at the roller rink at Ramona Park, skating with her friends. It was in her senior year at Union High School that Ruth was introduced to Floyd Paulisse through her friend, and they began dating. As the war became obvious, Floyd followed the same patriotic calling of other young men of the time, enlisting in the U.S. Navy to serve during World War II. Meanwhile, Ruth kept herself busy while he was away, working at Kresge Dime Store on Monroe Street downtown. Once Floyd was settled on base in Boston, Ruth joined him there and they were married in December 1941.

Floyd never did ship out for overseas because of health problems, but he did have to move west to Arizona for a time to receive treatment; the warm, dry air there was good for his lungs. It wasn’t long before Ruth and their baby daughter, Donna, took a train cross country to meet him there. The family of three made their home in a trailer for the next few years, living in Arizona, Santa Monica, California and Salt Lake City, Utah. Ruth worked in an airplaine factory doing her part to help support the war. After some time, the family moved back to Grand Rapids, and it wasn’t long after that Floyd and Ruth welcomed the births of two more children, Wayne and Joyce. Ruth now stayed home with the children, devoting herself to being a full-time mother. She enjoyed taking the kids to Floyd’s parents’ house on Bostwick Lake on Sundays, and having fun by the water. Once her children were all in school, Ruth went to work in the cafeteria at Huff Elementary School. Later on, she worked at Laveen’s Department Store for a while. After becoming widowed, she served as head cook at the Christian Rest Home for a number of years.

1964 was a hard year for Ruth for she lost both her mother and her husband, Floyd. They were married for 23 years. After some time, Ruth met a wonderful man named Leonard Newman and they were eventually married in 1972. She and Leonard were quite a pair – and really opposites. She was very shy and quiet, while he was often the hit of the party, yet together, they always had fun! They played cards with friends, went camping and fishing, though Ruth hated eating fish, and regularly walked the mall at North Kent after which they had breakfast with fellow walking friends. Sadly, Leonard died in 1991, leaving Ruth alone after 19 years.

There were many interests and hobbies Ruth enjoyed in her leisure time. She always kept her home meticulously clean, and she loved cooking, most of which was simple dishes, but she put all her love into it. Ruth also loved to keep her hands busy knitting lots of scarves, mittens and blankets for her family and friends, and baby clothes, which she donated to area hospitals. She liked to read inspirational romance novels, send her love in cards to her good friends, and watch sports on TV; she was a big fan of the Detroit Tigers and Redwings. Traveling was something Ruth enjoyed but didn’t do much of - she took a few trips to visit family around the country, and enjoyed several mystery senior trips in her retirement years. Some time after losing her husband Leonard, Ruth was also reacquainted with an old friend named Ernie Bont, and they became constant companions to each other.

Above all, Ruth cherished the time she spent with her beloved family, and would have devoted every moment to her grandchildren, if time allowed. She wasn’t one to meddle in other people’s lives, so she simply enjoyed their company. Faith was something else that was very important to Ruth, and she worked hard to instill her Christian values upon her children. For several years, Ruth belonged to the Standale Reformed Church, and later attended Faith Lutheran for a time before returning to Standale.

A few years ago, Ruth’s health began to diminish and when she was in need of additional care, she went to live at Stonebridge Manor. She later moved to Kent Community Hospital and it was here that she passed away on Sunday, August 16, 2009, at the age of 88.

Although Ruth will be deeply missed, her legacy of love and dedication leaves her loved ones with wonderful memories and a strong foundation to look to for comfort.

Ruth was preceded in death by her first husband, Floyd Paulisse; her second husband, Leonard Newman; her son, Wayne Paulisse; sisters, Myrtle Korten and Evelyn VanStee; her brother, Lester Korten, and her dear friend, Ernie Bont. Ruth is survived by her daughters: Donna Wohlford, Joyce (Robert) Routt; daughter-in-law, Marilyn Paulisse; stepchildren; grandchildren: Char (Tim) Louks, Todd Wohlford, Jeff (Michelle) Wohlford, Kris (Scott) Polmanteer, Kim (Paul) Stewart, Scott Bouwkamp (Denise Backstom), Kevin (MaryBeth) Paulisse, Amy (Michael) Capocchi; 14 great grandchildren and 1 great great grandchild; and four nephews.

A funeral service will be held on Thursday, August 20, at 11 a.m. at Heritage Life Story Funeral Home – Alt & Shawmut Hills Chapel, 2120 Lake Michigan Drive NW, Grand Rapids, where relatives and friends may visit with her family on Wednesday, August 19, from 7-9 p.m. and on Thursday from 10 a.m. until the time of the service. Interment will be in Blythefield Memorial Park. For those who wish, memorial contributions may be made to Spectrum Health Hospice. Please visit Ruth’s personal memory page at www.lifestorynet.com, where you may share a memory with her family or sign her online guest book.