Ruth Wierenga

After faithfully serving her Lord in His church on earth, Ruth Wierenga has heard His “Well done” and joined the church triumphant on Wednesday, February 12, 2025 at Faith Hospice- Trillium Woods. Ruth was the dear sister of Gladys Wierenga; daughter of John and Theresa B. Wierenga (deceased) and sister of Dr. Art Wierenga (deceased Dec. 20, 2024).

Ruth loved the Lord and had a servant’s heart. She helped many people at Shawnee Park Christian Reformed Church and elsewhere. She sang in the choir and was on several committees at church including Women’s Bible Study and the Senior Activities Committee. She served on the Mission Committee for several years, sending letters and packages to local and foreign missionaries, maintaining friendships around the world. She enjoyed taking many classes with Calvin’s Adult Lifelong Learning program. 

Ruth was a medical technologist for many years. She worked in hospitals in Ann Arbor, Rehoboth (Gallup) NM, Denver CO and Grand Rapids. She had friends in many places as indicated with her long Christmas letter list. Ruth loved to travel, first camping with her family around the US. She was always ready for a travel adventure and visited 42 countries. She had a special celebration of her 75th birthday in Shanghai, China. Her 80th birthday was spent at Corewell Butterworth Hospital. Ruth lived with chronic myelofibrosis for three and a half years as well as atrial fibrillation. Her doctors described her “as a complicated patient.” This was evidenced with over 150 doctor appointments and lab draws each year. Ruth was so grateful for the wonderful medical care she received, especially from the staff at the Hematology/Oncology office at Lemmen Holton. The care given to her at Faith Hospice Trillium Woods was special.

Ruth is survived by her sister, Gladys Wierenga; her nieces and nephews, Dr. Cary Wierenga, Lee Wierenga, and Jon Wierenga all of Horton, MI as well as Drs. Rob and Kelly Wierenga of Indianapolis, IN; several cousins and many friends.

Funeral services will be held 11 am Friday, February 21, 2025 at Shawnee Park Christian Reformed Church, 2255 Tecumseh Dr. SE, Grand Rapids, with Rev. Darrin Compagner officiating.  Burial will be held at Garfield Park Cemetery.  Relatives and friends may meet the family on Thursday from 4-7 pm at Matthysse Kuiper DeGraaf Funeral Home, 4646 Kalamazoo Ave. SE, Kentwood. Visitation will also be held at the church on Friday one hour prior to the service. In lieu of flowers, please consider memorial contributions to the Calvin University Scholarship of Ruth and Gladys Wierenga, (https://give.calvin.edu/give/582049/donate#!/donation/checkout) or Mission French Africa Ministries (Paul Mpindi) https://missionfrenchafrica.org/donate/.