Ruth Olivier

Much of Ruth Olivier’s life was spent giving generously to others whether her family, those in her community, or simply someone who was in need of a tender touch. As mothers go, she was second to none and nothing made her happier than becoming a grandmother. A woman of many interests, music always played a vital role in Ruth’s life although it wasn’t just the music itself, but those she shared it with. Christmas was such a special time in Ruth’s family complete with her fantastic homemade cookies and of course, singing with the family. Faith not only gave Ruth the foundation on which to build her life, but the song in her heart and the strength to weather the storms of life. She was a remarkable woman whose absence will be keenly felt by many.

Amidst a decade that struggled with issues such as poverty and immigration, unsafe working conditions and the lack of child labor laws, there was great joy surrounding the birth of a healthy baby girl in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The delighted parents were Otto and Irene (Huzel) Rinner and it was on December 12, 1915, that they welcomed their daughter, Ruth. She was the oldest of three girls in her family including her younger sisters Arlene and Marguerite. Ruth’s father owned Grand Rapids Art Glass, a shop that designed and installed stained glass windows, while her mother stayed home. The Rinner family moved around a bit, but always on the city’s northwest side. They were members of Immanuel Lutheran Church where Ruth was confirmed and active in the youth group. Many summers were spent at the family cottage on Spring Lake where the family enjoyed swimming and fishing, especially Ruth. This cottage would remain in the family and future generations would continue to enjoy fun-filled summers there. Ruth’s father also built a rustic cabin in Newberry in the Upper Peninsula.

As the Great Depression gripped our nation throughout the thirties, Ruth found fun in simple things like having friends over, making colored waffles and candy, skiing, sledding, playing ping pong, and participating in neighborhood games like kick the can. Ruth was a champion jacks player, learned to play the piano by ear, and was a Campfire Girl. She attended local schools including Pine Street School and Sibley Elementary, and she went on to graduate from Union High School in 1933.

Of great significance during Ruth’s school years was her introduction to the man she would love throughout her entire life. He was a fellow student named Merle Olivier and they began dating in the 11th grade. They went sailing on Reeds Lake for their first date and continued to date for the following six years. Ruth became Mrs. Merle Olivier on June 30, 1938. After a honeymoon in the Upper Peninsula and at Tahquamenon Falls, the newlyweds moved into an apartment on Arianna Street NW where they soon welcomed their daughter, Carol, in 1940. They were later blessed with two sons, Russel and Richard, and moved to a home on Morgan NW located along the same block as many of Merle’s family members.

The Olivier family was a close-knit group. They spent many vacations camping with family and friends at Silver Lake and Interlochen State Park as well as at the family cottages on Spring Lake and Whitefish Lake. Sunday afternoons were spent playing board games as a family, and Ruth’s love of music was shared with her family. Since they had no radio in the family car, they sang together on long road trips including many Boy Scout songs, choruses, and hymns.

In addition to caring for her family, Ruth kept busy with other things. Ruth secured her first job typing papers for Grand Rapids Junior College. She later worked at Kroger, becoming the manager’s secretary and even later, she worked as the church secretary at Trinity Reformed Church. Church activities kept Ruth busy including singing in the choir, and she was in an extension group from Michigan State University with mothers from Zinser Elementary. She volunteered at Kent Community Hospital delivering mail to the patients. Ruth was an extraordinary cook and baker who was famous for her chop suey, macaroni and cheese, and muffins, and she often made cream puffs for those who needed a lift. The Schnitzelbank was her favorite restaurant and where she ate sauerkraut every Christmas Eve and herring every New Year’s Eve - traditions that promised a prosperous year. A long standing family tradation was everyone gathering at Ruth's home on the 1st Sunday of December to make gingerbread houses.

Later in life, Ruth experienced both peaks and valleys along her journey. After Merle retired, they traveled to Florida in their travel trailer for a couple of years. They later bought a place on Hutchinson’s Island along Florida’s east coast. There, they made many friends and kept busy square dancing, walking the beach, and playing shuffleboard. Ruth and Merle also traveled to Switzerland, Hawaii, New Zeeland, and Austria. Ruth was truly overjoyed to become a grandmother and great grandmother. She was a fun-loving grandparent who was actively involved in the lives of her grandchildren. Ruth often took her grandchildren camping, and they always looked forward to her slo poke suckers. She was deeply saddened with the death of her husband in 1997, but her strong faith and family sustained her during the days that followed.

Over the past couple of years, Ruth began to suffer with health issues, predominantly with her heart. Early this year she was placed under hospice care until she later drew her last breath.

Ruth Olivier made life such a joy for those around her since she was always looking for ways she could help and content to be behind the scenes. She treasured being a wife and mother, and caring for her home and her family was always her main priority. Ruth found such joy in everything whether it was watching the boats in the Muskegon channel, spending time with her grandchildren, or singing along with her favorite song, “Sleepy Time Gal.” With a life that spanned nearly a century, Ruth leaves behind a colorful mosaic of memories that will be treasured by the generations who follow her.

Ruth Irene Olivier died on Sunday afternoon, October 24, 2010. Ruth’s family includes her children, Carol (Herm) Heemstra, Russ (Nancy) Olivier, Rick (Judie) Olivier; her grandchildren, Scott (Kristen) Bloem, Barb (Joe) Lomasney, Sue (Dean) VerBurg, Steve (Jo) Heemstra, Ken (Gloria) Olivier, Mark (Heather) Olivier, Jon (Lizabeth) Olivier, Lisa (Rob) Guerin, Beth (Mike) May; 19 great grandchildren; her sister, Marguerite (Ray) Dingman; brothers in-law and sisters-in-law, Lloyd and Arlene Olivier, Lee and Maggie Olivier; many nieces, nephews and friends. Ruth was preceded in death by her husband, Merle Olivier; her granddaughter, Jamie Sue Olivier; and her sister, Arlene Hausman. A service to celebrate Ruth’s life will be held on Wednesday at 11:00 a.m. at Trinity Reformed Church, 1221 Davis Ave. NW. Burial in Rosedale Cemetery. Relatives and friends may meet her family on Tuesday from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. at Heritage Life Story Funeral Home – Alt & Shawmut – Grand Rapids, MI. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com where you can leave a memory or make a memorial contribution to Trinity Reformed Church Memorial Fund.