Ruth Meester

Rock Rapids, Iowa Ruth Meester, age 91, of Rock Rapids, IA, died Friday, June 1st, 2012 at Lyon Manor Nursing and Rehab in Rock Rapids. Funeral services will be held 11:00 A.M., Tuesday, June 5th, 2012 at Bethel Reformed Church in Lester, IA with Pastor Chris Godfredsen officiating. Burial will follow at Stateline Cemetery near Rock Rapids. Visitation will be Monday, June 4th from 2:00 to 8:00 PM with the family present 6:00 to 8:00 PM at Jurrens Funeral Home of Rock Rapids. Ruth Henrietta Meester was born January 24, 1921, to Walter and Mary (Torwelle) Hoogland on a farm east of Ireton, IA. She was baptized in St. Paul Lutheran Church in Ireton. When she was 10 years old she moved with her family to a farm northeast of Rock Rapids, IA. On May 9, 1937 she was confirmed and joined the Peace Lutheran Church in Rock Rapids. She attended country school and graduated from the 8th Grade in 1935. Ruth was married on December 28, 1943 to Joe Meester. They moved to the family farm north of Rock Rapids and were active members of the nearby Ebenezer Presbyterian Stateline Church of Ellsworth, MN. Ruth was a busy homemaker, helping out on the farm and raising chickens. They retired from the farm and moved to Rock Rapids in October of 1988. They became members of the Bethel Reformed Church in Lester in 2001. She was involved in Church Circles, Navy Mothers, and Golden Age Club. Joe and Ruth enjoyed traveling and liked to go shopping together. After Joe died in November of 2005 she moved into an apartment and was a regular volunteer at Lyon Manor Nursing and Rehab. Ruth liked to sew, knit, crochet, read, do word finds and play cards to pass her time. Lovingly known as Grandma Ruth to all her family she will be remembered for her unselfishness, constant love and support she gave to each one. She is survived by one son, Harold (Linda) Meester of Lester, IA; one daughter Judy (Roger) Klaassen of Little Rock, IA. Seven Grandchildren: Steve (Shelly) Meester, Mark Meester, Donna (Stacen) Burgers, Leah (Lance) Boote, Wade (Alicia) Klaassen, Ryan (Jen) Klaassen, Angela (Jason) Klimes; Sixteen great-grandchildren, one great-great grandchild and other extended family member and friends. She was preceded in death by her husband Joe; her parents; two brothers, Elmer and Vernon Hoogland; one infant daughter, Donna Lea; two granddaughters, Beth Ann Klaassen and Lisa Lynn Klaassen.