Ruth Strieper

Adventurous, hardworking, and fun-loving, Ruth Strieper lived an active life filled with the people and things she cherished most. She loved being outdoors, yet it was also nice to relax with a good book at times. Ruth was a devoted mother if ever there was one, but she just may have argued that nothing was better than becoming Oma to the ten grandchildren she adored. A woman of faith, she faced whatever came her way with a quiet strength and a graceful courage that were an inspiration to everyone who knew her. Although she will be deeply missed, Ruth leaves behind a priceless collection of memories that will remain a lasting treasure in the hearts and lives of all who were blessed to know and love her.

Although the 1920s were a prosperous time in America when innovation was transforming the way we lived our daily lives, the 1930s were a much different story. These were days that were filled with great trial and tribulation as the Great Depression covered our nation and much of the world throughout the entire decade. Jobs were hard to come by, which made the unemployment rate soar, and things only went from bad to worse when a crippling drought covered our nation’s heartland for nearly two years during this time. The Netherlands was also greatly affected by the hardship in our nation, but despite the circumstances surrounding them, Luitje and Margaretha Jantina (Uitvlugt) Westers were filled with great joy as they welcomed the healthy baby girl they named Ruth on September 23, 1931. She was one of five children in her family as she was raised alongside her siblings, Jakoba, Frans, Harmannus, and Margaretha. Ruth’s father worked as a school teacher and principal while her mother was a homemaker. As WWII overtook the Netherlands during the first half of the 1940s, Ruth was deeply affected by the horrors that unfolded all around her. When the Nazis invaded, her life and perspective were never the same.

Life was forever changed for Ruth when she met a man named Gerard Strieper while they were both in nursing school in Holland. They later married, and they both immigrated to the United States in 1956 along with all of Ruth’s family. They settled in Michigan, and soon moved to Colorado. Ruth became a citizen on February 16, 1962. Together they were blessed with four children including Ed, Peggy, Diane, and Robert. Ruth and Gerard divorced in 1968, and she soon moved back to Michigan to be near her family. This is where she called home for the rest of her life. Ruth was always proud to be an American, but she was equally proud of her Dutch heritage.

Needing to support her family, Ruth went to school and became a hairdresser. This became her lifelong career, and she was great at it. She worked hard, but sometimes it was hard to tell since she enjoyed being with her clients so much. Many of them became lifelong friends. Ruth put in long hours both while going back to school and once she was in the workplace. Her greatest desire was to provide a good life for her children, but she also encouraged them to stay in school and stressed the importance of an education. Ruth’s children heeded her advice as they all went to college. Ed became an engineer, Peggy became a physician, Diane is the sports director for Michigan Trampoline and Tumble while Robert works as an attorney.

Although her work and caring for her family certainly kept Ruth busy, she also enriched her life in many other ways. Her faith was vitally important to her, and she was a longtime member of Richmond Reformed Church. Ruth faithfully attended services for years until her health no longer allowed. She was a voracious reader, particularly when it came to the Jan Karon series. Ruth also kept busy knitting, and over the years she made sweaters for all of her children and grandchildren. She also make blankets for the neonatal intensive care unit. She was very involved in a local knitting club and looked forward to the weekly gatherings as the ladies there were among her closest friends. Ruth loved a home cooked meal with a tasty roast, potatoes, and green beans. Sundays and family gatherings were always times for a special meal since it was a time when everyone was all together. These gatherings were among Ruth’s most treasured times. With a sense of adventure, she naturally enjoyed traveling, and she made it to places like Hawaii, Australia, Europe, Alaska, and all the United States. She loved hiking, exploring, gardening, and doing all sorts of things outside.

Later in life one of Ruth’s greatest blessing was becoming Oma to her 10 grandchildren. She loved spending time with them and regularly visited for extended periods of time. Ruth did whatever they wanted to do whether that was playing at the park, reading, going to the zoo, or even doing the “Oma dance.”

All who knew Ruth Strieper would agree that she was beautiful on the inside and out. She was never one to worry about building wealth or gaining possessions, rather, her focus was always on living fully in the moments she was given while holding her loved ones near. Ruth was a hard worker, but she also made the time to enjoy life, and nothing was better than being surrounded by her loved ones. She will be deeply missed and forever remembered.

Mrs. Roelfien “Ruth” Strieper aged 83, of Grand Rapids, passed away on June 18, 2015. She was preceded in death by her grandson, Jason; siblings, Frank (Betty) Westers, Harry Westers, Koby (Peter) Byl, and Margaret DeLong. Ruth is survived by her children, Ed (Deanna) Strieper, Peggy (Eric Tempka) Strieper, Diane (Dan) Roedema, and Robert (Jennifer) Strieper; 10 (with one on the way) grandchildren; 7 great-grandchildren; sister-in-law, Jolie Westers; brother-in-law, Gary DeLong; and many nieces and nephews. Ruth worked at Meijer Hair Salon for over 20 years and loved to travel and knit. She will be missed by her Monday Night Knitting Club. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 11 AM on Tuesday June 23, 2015 at Heritage Life Story Funeral Homes, 851 Leonard St. NW. Friends and family will meet from 6-8 PM on Monday and from 10-11 AM on Tuesday at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, contributions in her memory may be made to Matthew’s House or West Michigan Humane Society. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com to archive a memory, photo, or to sign the guestbook.