Ruth Van Gelder
Ruth Lucille Van Gelder (nee Ruggaber), 100, passed away on Sunday, March 24, 2019. She was born on February 26, 1919 in Otisville, New York, to Frank and Margaretha Ruggaber and was raised in Ridgway, PA.
She graduated with honors from Centennial High School in Ridgway, PA.
She entered the West Penn Hospital Nursing program in Pittsburgh, PA, where she graduated as a registered nurse with honors.
She met and married John M. Van Gelder of Ramsey, New Jersey. John was a cum laude civil engineering graduate from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, New York. They enjoyed 70 happy years together.
John was a Regional Director with Pennwalt Corporation his entire career.
She was a resident of King Bruwaert House in Burr Ridge, IL for the last six years. She enjoyed her friends and the friendly KB Staff there.
John and Ruth were Life Master bridge players and were members of Edgewood Valley Country Club. Ruth was a member of the Hinsdale Women’s Club for over 25 years, and the Hinsdale Garden Study Club. She was a member of Christ Church in Oak Brook, IL. She also was a member of the Couples Gourmet Club and enjoyed cooking. In her later years, she became a professional registered nurse in Illinois and practiced in the maternity ward at MacNeal Hospital in Berwyn, Illinois.
She is survived by her loving children: John III (Lucy) of Stuart, FL, Louis (Lynn) of Darien, IL, Nancy of Santa Barbara, CA, and James of Centennial, CO. She leaves five grandchildren Jennifer, John IV, Amy, Kristen and James II, and six great grandchildren Ava, John V, Quincy, Avery, Nolan and Connor, and many nieces and nephews.
When she had time, Ruth’s hobbies were cooking, bowling, golf, antique collecting, needlepoint, travel and her grandchildren. She was an avid bridge player.
A private Celebration of Life Service for Ruth will take place in the near future.
I loved Ruth and she loved me as we expressed often to each other. I spent many mornings at KB House eating breakfast with her. She was also a previous neighbor of mine at Carriage Way Town Homes. I used to take her to have her hair done at the little shopping center on 47th St. Also took her to her dentist. Whenever she needed a ride to have something done I would help her out if I could. I also work for St. Thomas Hospice and at the time I visited patients I was a volunteer who visited Mr. VanGelder at KB House. I was always hoping if it ever came to Ruth needing Hospice at KB House I would be the one the family would call. I was able to visit her on the day of her 100th birthday and met her son from Denver who was in to celebrate. It’s a sad day for me when I found out she had passed. I will miss her terribly. She was always alert , had a great memory and just a very lovely woman.
Ruth was a lovely, kind woman and I and the Garden Study Club always enjoyed seeing her and visiting with her. We celebrated her 100th birthday at a Garden Study club meeting, which was really special. My deepest condolences to your family.