Ruth Boersma

Ruth Boersma encompassed many roles throughout her life. She was an inspiring teacher, a devoted wife, a nurturing mother, and a fun-loving grandmother, but the role that was the most significant was her role as the hands and feet of God. Ruth was a woman of faith who realized that one doesn’t need to be boisterous or overbearing when witnessing to others, rather it was her quiet whispers of faith in her everyday life that spoke in volumes to everyone within her reach. She leaves behind a legacy that is rich in faith, compassion, and love that will surely withstand the test of time.

The year 1929 was part of a decade of prosperity in America and people celebrated by having fun wherever they could. They went to movies, went dancing, or threw parties. This was also a year for great celebration in the family of Paul and Catherine (Strick) Brouwer as they were overjoyed to welcome the birth of their daughter, Ruth, on June 4th. Ruth was born in the family home in Forest Grove, Michigan and was one of five girls in her family. A scary time occurred when Ruth was just one-and-a-half years old and developed a severe ear infection that nearly claimed her life. She went on to attend Zutphen Elementary, a two-room country school, usually walking the one-and-a-half miles to and from school each day. If she was lucky, she could sometimes catch a ride in her father’s cattle truck! Ruth thoroughly enjoyed school and developed a love for music and singing too. She was often the soloist in school pageants and plays.

During the thirties, the Great Depression hampered our nation leaving many American families to find fun in simple ways. It was a special treat when the Brouwer family was taking a car ride and stopped at the Vriesland store for everyone to share a quart of ice cream. Ruth, with her sense of humor, later claimed that it was this limited exposure to ice cream as a child that led to her love for large portions of ice cream as an adult! She continued her education at Zeeland High School where she played the saxophone, marched in the Tulip Time Parade, and graduated second in her class. Ruth attended Hope College for one year and then Western Michigan University for one year after which she had earned her teaching certificate. She worked at Keeler Brass as a college student, but once she had her degree she taught at Star School, a one-room schoolhouse on Byron Center Road.

It was while she was student at Hope College that Ruth met the man with whom she would build a family legacy. His name was Milton Gazan and they met at the Grand Rapids Rescue Mission where Ruth and her sisters were singing for the service. After dating for two years the couple was married on June 7, 1950 at Forest Grove Reformed Church. The couple honeymooned in Upper Michigan, including at Tahquamenon Falls.

Great joy was soon in store for Ruth and Milt when they were blessed with the births of four children: Linda, Gary, Mark, and Jim. Ruth set her career aside to nurture her children, although she did teach piano lessons in their home for many years. The Gazan family shared close relationships and enjoyed taking trips every summer to places all over the United States.

In addition to caring for her family, one of the most prominent things in Ruth’s life was serving others. She and Milt were charter members of Zion Reformed Church and they even hosted the organizational meetings for the new church in their home. Ruth was a very accomplished organist and pianist who regularly played for church services and Sunday school. She was also involved in teaching and ministering through women’s Bible studies and prayer groups, and she taught Sunday school. Ruth and Milt served together as youth group leaders and were involved in many church related committees and activities. She also volunteered with Hospice for ten years.

Great changes were in store for Ruth and her children when Milt died suddenly in 1970 at the age of 43. She continued to live in their Jenison home and provide for her four children. She was blessed to find love for a second time when she met and later married Bill Boersma on May 4, 1979. Ruth then became a member of Calvary Reformed Church in Holland where she continued to use her gifts in music and teaching. She and Bill enjoyed leisure time at their cottage on Silver Lake and at their winter home in Boynton Beach, Florida. They later enjoyed traveling in their motor home and spending time with their 11 grandchildren.

Throughout her life Ruth enjoyed a diverse palette of interests. She was a gifted seamstress who made clothes for her four children and later her 11 grandchildren. Ruth enjoyed doing needlepoint, knitting, and crocheting. She liked cooking and baking and loved to share her sweet treats with friends and family during the Christmas season. She also served magnificent desserts when company came over as well. Ruth loved hymns, whether she was listening, playing, or singing. She additionally enjoyed walking and hiking in God’s creation, especially at various places where her family members lived, and often captured these special times on film.

One of Ruth’s favorite ways to spend her time was buried in scripture. Daily she was seen at her desk with her Bible and she was always ready to pass along wisdom from her devotions with those she had contact with. Although she had numerous treasured verses, one of her favorites is found in Proverbs 3:5 and 6 which reads, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.”

Just like the words of her favorite verse, Ruth Boersma was a child of God who trusted Him throughout both the easy and hard times along her journey. She found her relationship with her Lord and Savior brought her both comfort and strength whenever she needed. Ruth was an extraordinary woman who lived her life to love others whether family, friends, or those she served in a variety of ways. She will be dearly missed.

Ruth Boersma died on December 10, 2009. Ruth’s family includes her children: Linda Gazan, Gary (Jan) Gazan, Mark (Sue) Gazan, Jim Gazan, step-children: William (Cheryl) Boersma, Tom (Kitty) Boersma, and Ruth Morreale, sisters: Edith (Henry) DeWitt, Marian (Norm) Vruggink, Florence (Dale) Schreur, brother-in-law Justin Schipper, sister-in-law Dorothy Gazan, brother-in-law Harold (Nancy) Gazan, along with 11 grandchildren, 4 great-grandchildren, many cousins and special friends. Ruth was preceded in death by her parents-in-law, Marcus (Margaret) Gazan, parents, first husband Milton Gazan, second husband Bill Boersma, sister Elinor Schipper, and nephew Ken Schipper. Memorial services will be 3:00 p.m. Monday at Calvary Reformed Church, 995 East 8th St, with the Rev. Blaine Newhouse and Rev. Dr. William Brownson officiating. Burial will be in Floral View Cemetery. Visit with Ruth’s family and friends from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Sunday at the Dykstra Life Story Funeral Homes-Mulder Chapel, 188 West 32nd St, Holland, MI. Memorial contributions may be made to the Grand Rapids Youth for Christ. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com where you can leave a favorite memory or photo.