Ruth Norene Van De Venter

RUTH NORENE VAN DE VENTER July 6, 1925 – October 16, 2017    Ruth Norene Van De Venter, age 92, a lifelong Park Rapids resident, passed away on Monday, October 16, 2017 at the Essentia Health Medical Center, Fargo, ND.    Ruth was born on July 6, 1925 in Morris, MN to Ernest and Hildegard (Prill) Kimball. She attended the Park Rapids Public school. Ruth was united in marriage to Gerald Van De Venter in Park Rapids on September 26, 1944. They were blessed with two daughters and two sons. She devoted herself to making a warm and loving home for her family and friends. She worked on the farm with her husband plowing and disking the fields. Ruth always planted a large garden and did a lot of canning and freezing. She loved to sew, make quilts and square dance outfits. Ruth and Gerald started the Friendly Squares in 1957. She was still dancing at the age of 92. She and Gerald received the Young at Heart Award at the MN State Square Dance Convention in 2012. She enjoyed fishing, playing cards and picking blueberries. Her grandchildren always looked forward to her delicious blueberry pie and chocolate pie. Ruth enjoyed the annual 4th of July neighborhood picnic and attending neighborhood birthday parties. She was a lifelong member of St. John’s Lutheran Church and active in Ladies Aid, quilting and bible study.    Ruth is survived by her four children: Norene Houser (fiancé Mickey Klasen) of Champlin, MN; Karen Van De Venter of Park Rapids, MN; Gordy (Deb) Van De Venter of Oakes, ND; Fred (Elaine) Van De Venter of Elk River, MN; brother James Kimball of Scottsdale, AZ; eight grandchildren, Cathy (Duane) Hall of New Germany, MN; Jason (Heidi) Houser of Minneapolis, MN; Sarah Van De Venter of Grand Forks, ND; Holly (Brian) Connolly of Rosemount, MN; Kallie Van De Venter of Staples, MN; Justin Van Ve Venter of Elk River, MN; Katrina Van De Venter of Elk River, MN; Sabrina (Andy) Miller of Becker, MN; seven great grandchildren; Mitchell and Brittney Hall, Maisy and Carter Miller, Gracelyn Van De Venter, Mikaela and Evan Connolly; as well as many nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends.    She was preceded in death by her husband, Gerald in 2014, two sister-in-laws, Velma and Melba, and son-in-law, Joseph Houser, and her parents Ernest & Hildegard Kimball.    Funeral services will be held 11 AM Monday, October 23, 2017 at the St. John’s Lutheran Church, Park Rapids, MN with Reverend James Neubauer officiating. The organist will be Sarah Kaufenberg. The soloist will be Mike Poole singing “The Lord’s Prayer”. The congregational hymns will be “How Great Thou Art”, “I know That My Redeemer Lives”, “Abide With Me”, and “I’m But A Stranger Here”. The casket bearers will be: Jason Houser, Mitchell Hall, Justin Van De Venter, Lyle Dean Luther, Brian Luther and Henry Luther. The honorary casket bearers will be: Arvin & Mary Packer and All Square Dance Members. Interment will be made in the Greenwood Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 PM Sunday at the Jones-Pearson Funeral Home in Park Rapids and will continue beginning at 10 AM Monday at the church.