Ruth Wert

Ruth Wert was a delightful woman who took great pride in caring for her home and family. She thrived on routine and was known for her tasty baked goods - and even her own sweet tooth. Although Ruth enjoyed going out for a social evening, she truly felt peace being at home in her own surroundings. Ruth was naturally gifted at creating various crafts, and it was commonly known that in Ruth’s home, there would always be a plate of scrumptious homemade treats waiting for anyone who crossed her doorstep. In so many ways, Ruth’s humble and gracious ways touched the hearts and lives of so many people each and every day.

The year 1922 was a monumental one in American history as it was in this year that the first formal action of the investigation leading to the revelation of the Teapot Dome scandals was launched, and the Lincoln Memorial was dedicated in Washington, D.C. These were prosperous times in which people enjoyed jazz music and dance crazes including the Charleston and the Shimmy. As the year was drawing to a close, Martin and Henrietta (Fish) DenBoer, of Grand Rapids, Michigan, were pleased to announce the birth of their daughter, Ruth, on December 16th. Born as the youngest of six children in her family, Ruth was raised in the family home on Visser Street near Wealthy and Fuller. Her father worked at Kelvinator and wove rugs on the side while her mother was a homemaker who kept their active family running smoothly. Ruth attended local schools and became a graduate of Ottawa Hills High School.

During that same time, life became very exciting for Ruth as she was introduced to a young man named Clyde Wert, Jr. through some friends. It didn’t take long before the young couple had fallen hopelessly in love and was married when Ruth was just 18 and Clyde was 20. Their new lives together were soon interrupted for a time when Clyde enlisted in the Navy and spent the next three-and-a-half years serving his country. During this time, America became involved in WWII when the radio became a lifeline providing news regarding the war effort for the numerous loved ones that were left stateside. While Clyde was home on leave, the couple decided they were ready to start a family, and they were soon blessed with the birth of their son Ron in 1943, although Clyde was not able to see him for the first year-and-a-half of his life. While Clyde was serving abroad, Ruth lived with her parents.

Once reunited, the Wert family grew to include the births of five more children: Danny, in 1946, Larry, in 1947, Julie, in 1951, Rick, in 1954, and Stacy in 1965. Their family initially settled on the southeast side of the city until they moved to the Standale area in 1955. Sadly their home was soon destroyed when the Hudsonville-Standale tornado ripped through town on April 3, 1956, as one of three tornados to rip through southwest Lower Michigan that day. This F5 tornado devastated these two towns just outside of Grand Rapids leaving numerous families, including the Wert family, homeless. Ruth and Clyde felt blessed that their family survived intact as the tornado claimed the lives of 18 and injured 340, and they rebuilt their home.

There were so many memorable experiences that Ruth created for her children while they were growing up. They enjoyed camping together, usually in a tent at Burt Lake where they often enjoyed eating the walleye they caught. Ruth ran a tight ship at home and had a very regimented schedule for getting the household chores done. She always washed sheets on Mondays, and tackled the remaining laundry on Tuesdays. Ruth enjoyed big band music and could often be heard singing while she was doing the housework. Dinner was always served promptly at four o’clock each day when Clyde came home from work. Ruth was a whiz in the kitchen – famous especially for her shepherd’s pie, salmon patties, fried chicken, apple pie, and chocolate cupcakes. She was indeed talented when it came to baking and there were always some sort of sweet treats in her home, perhaps because she in fact had a sweet tooth of her own.

There were a variety of ways in which Ruth was a unique woman who was loved by so many. She could hold her own in a crowd, but simply enjoyed being home, taking in the surroundings that brought peace to her soul. Ruth also enjoyed being home while Clyde worked outside, and they enjoyed taking rides every Sunday, often to Saugatuck. When Ron was in the service, Ruth drove his car and could be heard a mile away as the car had a very loud muffler. In fact, she even received a few tickets in regards to that muffler! Ruth regularly had friends over to play cards, and she and Clyde liked to vacation in Florida for four to six weeks with family and friends, usually in New Port Richey. She enjoyed macramé, and she loved a slice of homemade apple pie alongside a steaming cup of coffee.

Changes were in store for Ruth when her beloved Clyde died in 1996. From then on, she and Stacy, with whom she lived, went out to eat for every meal. They also liked to go dancing together every week at the West Side Complex. Stacy continued to live with Ruth until 2007 when Ruth herself needed more care.

Ruth Wert lived a full life that spanned many decades during which she created a colorful mosaic of memories that have now become like precious jewels to those she leaves behind. Ruth shared a love story with her husband for over 50 years, and they complemented each other in so many ways. Their marriage was even compared to the one shared by the television couple in the show Green Acres as Clyde loved the country, and Ruth loved the city. Although Ruth’s family and friends will miss her dearly, they are so thankful for the many years they were given to share with their beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, great-great-grandmother, and friend.

Ruth N. Wert of Grand Rapids died on September 19, 2009. Ruth’s family includes her children, Ron (Connie) Wert, Dan (Debbie) Wert, Larry Wert, Julie Hindenach, Richard (Sally) Wert, and Stacy Wert; 8 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild. She was preceded in death by her husband, Clyde Wert Jr. A celebration of Ruth’s life will be held at 1 p.m. on Tuesday at Heritage Life Story Funeral Homes, 2120 Lake Michigan Dr. NW. Friends may visit her family on Monday from 6-9 p.m. at the funeral home. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com where you can archive a memory or photo, or sign the guestbook if you unable to attend.