Ruby Hunt

A vivacious, free-spirited, and fun-loving woman, Ruby Hunt brought such sparkle to the world around her. She had a heart that was as endless as the ocean, and a generous and selfless nature toward all who were within her reach. Ruby was a devoted mother and treasured this role, yet she just may have argued that being a grandmother was her richest blessing. She was never concerned with building wealth or accumulating possessions, rather, Ruby focused her journey on fully embracing every moment she was given while deeply loving her family and friends. Life will never be the same without her here, but her memory will remain forever near and dear to the hearts of the numerous friends and loved ones she leaves behind.

Throughout the 1920s, America enjoyed great prosperity with uninhibited innovation and the explosion of technology that transformed the way we lived our everyday lives. This all came to a screeching halt, however, with the crash of the stock market on October 29, 1929, sending our nation spiraling down into the depths of the Great Depression. Just ten days prior to this historic day, a young couple from Chilton, Wisconsin, was thrilled to announce the birth of their baby girl on October 19th. Rubina A. was the youngest of four children born to her parents, Ervin and Rose Klemm, and was raised in the family home, which was a two-family dwelling, alongside her siblings, Hildy, Walter, and Betty Jane. The Klemm family certainly felt the strain of the times as money was tight, yet living through a time of want helped shaped the character of the people of this generation, including Ruby. Her parents worked hard as florists and farmers.

It was as a young child that Ruby’s free spirit took root. She loved climbing trees with her brother, and the two were nearly inseparable. When she was only three Ruby wandered off on one occasion and was found a short time later in the company of a kind hobo near the stockyards. This interaction greatly affected Ruby and gave her a heart for the homeless since as an adult she generously donated to those in need. She also loved skating as a young girl - so much so that she wore her skates right out! After that Ruby was known to borrow her sister Betty’s skates while she was away at school. As a teen she liked going to the movies.

As a young woman Ruby was excited for the next phase in her life’s journey. She worked a few jobs, enjoyed her friendships, and lived life to the fullest. Ruby came to Flint, Michigan, which is where she started her life as the mother of nine children in addition to being a wife to her first husband, Russell Marsden. From the moment she became a mother Ruby was truly extraordinary, and her children, Rosemarie, Ronald, Duane, Marlene, Denise, James, Larry, Gary and Linda were the light of her life. When her children were younger she took them on adventurous walks to the neighborhood stores. As they got older she regularly volunteered with their school events. Although her marriage later ended in divorce, Ruby was forever grateful for the children they shared.

New and exciting changes were on the horizon for Ruby when she met and married her second husband, Donald Hunt. Together they welcomed two children into their hearts and home, John and Andrew. Ruby’s skills as a homemaker and mother were second to none as she made tending to a home and family seem effortless. From her childhood years she learned to be frugal as she could make a little go a long way. It has been said that Ruby made the best grilled cheese and spaghetti, and throughout her life she always made Christmas such a special time of year filled with more than enough to go around.

Having Ruby as a mother meant that life was always full of adventure. When her youngest son graduated from high school, the two of them took a bus trip to Missouri to surprise her daughter and grandson. Just a year later they took a bus trip to Wisconsin to visit with her siblings. Through the years Ruby also took several birthday trips with her daughters to different places in Michigan like Mackinac Island and other favorite destinations. Later on, Ruby took another trip to Wisconsin with some of her children and grandchildren.

Not to be forgotten in Ruby’s family equation was her grandchildren. She has been described as the best grandmother, and just like her children they brought her the greatest joy. Ruby loved hosting her grandchildren for sleepovers and having fun on summer outings together as a family like fishing and boat rides.

After moving to Saugatuck in 1979, Ruby plugged in to her new community. Throughout her life she was always busy doing something. During her younger years she was involved in the Head Start Program in addition to being parent volunteer in her children’s activities. Later in life Ruby played rummy and bingo, visited casinos and made trips to Green Bay, and loved walking her dog, Max. Having a fish fry with her good friends, Harold and Judy was another favorite. A woman of many interests, Ruby also loved Bing Crosby with her favorite movie being Going My Way, and she also enjoyed watching MacGyver on Mondays.

When reflecting on the life of Ruby Hunt, words such as loving, tender, and selfless rise to the surface. She could be strong willed at times, yet she naturally gave to others ahead of herself whether her family, her neighbors, or people in need. Ruby faced times of trial such as with the deaths of her son, her daughter, and her husband, yet she possessed a quiet strength that carried her through even the most difficult paths of her journey. The timeless legacy she leaves behind will be proudly carried on by those who follow her.

Ruby A. Hunt died on Sunday, March 10, 2013. Ruby’s family includes her children: Ronald (Dawn) Marsden of Flint, Duane Marsden of Clio, MI, Marlene Gonzalez of Georgetown, Texas, Denise (Humberto) Villarreal of Clio, MI, James Maupin of Flint, Larry (Marietta) Marsden of Fennville, MI, Linda (Tim) Corr of Grand Ledge, MI, John (Cindy) Hunt of Allegan, MI, Andrew Hunt of Saugatuck; many grandchildren and great-grandchildren; brother and sisters: Hildegarde Vander Zanden of Green Bay, WI, Walter Klemm of Hopkins, MN, Betty Bayer of Menasha, WI; sister-in-law: Rose Hunt of Whittmore; many nephews, nieces and cousins. Ruby was preceded in death by her second husband, Donald Hunt; her son, Gary Lee; and her daughter, Rosemarie. A funeral service will be 11:00 a.m., Saturday, March 16, 2013, at Mulder Chapel, Dykstra Funeral Homes 188 West 32nd Street in Holland. Reverend Dennis Myers will be officiating. Visitation will be from 7-9 p.m., Friday, March 15, 2013, at Mulder Chapel. Memorial contributions may be given to Hospice of Holland or Fennville Assembly of God. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com where you can leave a memory or sign the online guestbook.