Ruth Warn

LIFESTORY:

With an unbeatable work ethic and a knack for finding the brighter side of things, Ruth Warn lived each day according to the motto, "Don't get upset, get busy!" Though her life had its fair share of obstacles, Ruth always found the strength of spirit to overcome any adversity. Her example was an inspiration to her husband, sons, and many friends.

The Roaring Twenties marked a time of prosperity, entertainment, and celebration throughout America. Big band music played over radios and filled dance halls; newspapers trumpeted stories of speakeasies and bootlegging; the stock market climbed toward new heights. Luther Vincent and his wife Louise had a different, more personal reason to celebrate. On August 23, 1923 they welcomed their daughter Ruth into their home in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

The youngest of three children, Ruth grew up under the lead of her older siblings. The Vincent family lived on the North End of Grand Rapids and attended the nearby Second Congregational Church UCC. Ruth's father provided for the family through his job as an insurance salesman, but when she was just eleven years old, he unexpectedly passed away. Her mother Louise was left to provide for her three children, which was no small task during the Depression. These years were full of struggle and ingrained in Ruth a work ethic that would guide her throughout her life. These years also taught Ruth how to be frugal, another trait she would retain for the rest of her life.

Though Ruth encountered several obstacles during her childhood, she never let adversity break her positive spirits. She enjoyed her friends at Church, who she would hang out with after Sunday School and also in the Young People Church Groups. Depending on where her family was living at the time, Ruth attended Henry, Fairmont, and Palmer Elementary Schools. She went on to Creston High School, where she enjoyed studying English, Literature, shorthand, and rapid calculation. She once wrote that her life ambition was to become a good office worker and secretary. After graduating from Creston in 1941, she pursued this ambition by enrolling at Heaney's Business College (now, Davenport) where she earned her business degree.

After graduating from Heaney's, Ruth went to work for Travelers Insurance Company as a secretary. During this time Ruth was a member in the Los Amigos Coed Club which gathered at the YWCA. There she met a handsome young man named Robert Warn. They began dating in April of 1950, when Robert asked if she'd like to go for a ride; they ended up eating hamburgers together at the local drive-in. Over the next few months they fell in love. They went out on picnics, attended the movie theater, and visited the beach. By the end of the summer, Robert had asked for her hand in marriage. They were united on November 4, 1950, a snowy Saturday afternoon, at the Second Congregational Church.

But the Korean Conflict intervened on the early years of their marriage. Shortly after the wedding, Robert was drafted into the military and stationed in Tokyo. During his absence, Ruth lived with some family members and helped look after their children. She also continued to work full time at the insurance company.

When Robert returned home from the Korean War, he and Ruth settled into a routine life together. Their first son Glen was born in 1955, followed by Philip in 1958. Now with children, Ruth quit her job and devoted herself to her role as a wife and homemaker. Once the boys reached school age, Ruth kept busy by offering her support wherever it was needed. She was a room mother at her boys' school, and she also helped her sons with their school projects and homework.

Summer was always a special time for the Warn family. With the boys free of school, the family would often make camping trips to places like Ludington, the Silver Lake Dunes, and other places in Michigan. Ruth especially enjoyed taking the boys to the beaches around Lake Michigan or to the cottages that belonged to family friends.

In the late 1970's, Robert started his own accounting business. Since the boys were now grown up and out of school, Ruth was able to join her husband in his new business venture. She approached her job with her characteristic blend of enthusiasm and hard work, and she quickly became an intricate part of the business.

After running the accounting business for several years, Robert and Ruth agreed to retire. They spent much of their free time traveling around Southeast Michigan to visit their boys, who had each settled down with families of their own. Ruth disliked the idea of flying, and so she and Robert mostly limited their travel to the Mid-West, though they did make a few road trips down to Florida. Like her husband, Ruth was perfectly happy at home on the North End of Grand Rapids, where she had the comfort of her church and many friends. In her spare time around the house, Ruth liked to keep her mind sharp by solving crossword puzzles, playing word scrabble games, and reading.

The Warns remained active in the church throughout their lives together. They were members of the Mr. & Mrs. Friendship Club, which is a social group that gathers for fellowship. The club has been in existence for over fifty years, and both Robert and Ruth were instrumental in its prolonged existence. When Robert passed away in the year 2002, Ruth continued to play a role in the organization's ongoing activities.

Beyond her friends from church, Ruth also kept in touch with her "high school lunch bunch" from Creston High School. Ever since high school graduation, Ruth had helped to organize monthly lunches with her school friends. The group remains active and meets at a restaurant near their old stomping grounds, Creston High.

Among her family and many friends, Ruth will be remembered for her independent spirit, her tenacious work ethic, and her compassionate heart. She will be frequently remembered by the many people whose lives she touched.

Ruth died on Wednesday May 18, 2005. She was preceded in death by her husband of 51 years, Robert Warn. Surviving are her children: Glen Warn and his wife Beverly Loudon, Philip and Christine Warn, her grandchildren: Spencer, Ian and Tera, her sister Martha Bishop, her brother-in-law Archie Murphy and nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held Saturday at 11 A.M.. at the Heritage Life Story Funeral Home, Van Strien – Creston Chapel, 1833 Plainfield N.E. with Rev. Bonita Zobeck of Second Congregational Church UCC officiating. Private interment will be in Blythefield Memory Gardens. Mrs. Warn reposes at the funeral chapel where relatives and friends may meet her family Friday from 2-4 and 7-9 P.M. and Saturday from 10 A.M. until the time of the funeral service. For those who wish, memorial contributions to Second Congregational Church UCC would be appreciated. Please visit Ruth's personal webpage at www.lifestorynet.com, where you can archive a memory or sign the guestbook.