Ruth, age 77,  left her temporary home on Saturday, September 16, 2023, and was welcomed into her Heavenly home by our Savior and Lord, Jesus. She lost a very courageous battle against dementia and Parkinsonism.

Ruth was born on January 10, 1946, in Zeeland, Michigan to Andrew and Helen Schermer and was the youngest of eight children. One of her sisters called her "Rudy" and the nickname stuck for the rest of her life. She has four surviving siblings in Zeeland; Shirley, Ron, Bruce and Ellen.

Her immediate family includes her husband of 57 years, Allen (Al), daughter and son-in-law Tamara and Daniel Perkins of Muncie, Indiana, and son Kevin and daughter-in-law Cindy Vander Klay of Arlington Heights, Il. She and Al have five wonderful and loving grandchildren; Zachary and Aaron Perkins and Lily, Ella and Nolan Vander Klay.

Rudy and Al met on a blind date on July 4th, 1964. They married on August 25, 1967, following her graduation as a Registered Nurse from Kalamazoo's Bronson Methodist Hospital. After various residences in Michigan, Indiana, and Illinois, they ultimately settled in Wheaton, IL, where they have lived in the same house for over 40 years.

Rudy has had a number of career nursing jobs, culminating with over 20 years as a Pediatrics' nurse at the Glen Ellyn Clinic.  Since partially retiring in 1997 due to health issues, she held a few part-time jobs including employee wellness checks as a nurse. She also enjoyed doing ironing and other work at Country Curtains in Naperville, and volunteering for World Relief and Habitat.

Rudy was a person of many talents, hobbies and a very deep faith. As an extremely winsome woman, she was able to cultivate friendships easily and those who got to know her or of her were taken by her beautiful smile, cheerfulness, positivity, humility, sweetness, kindness, generosity, courage and creativity. Most of all, her love for Jesus and the Bible were so very evident. One of her friends remarked that Rudy was a blessing to all who knew her.

Among her talents and hobbies were quilting, sewing, puzzle making, word puzzles, Sudoku, gardening, reading, cooking, volunteering, and golf. She had a hole-in-one at Prairie Landing and received a new set of clubs. During retirement years, she and Al travelled extensively in the United States, seeing all state capital buildings and National Parks and park sites, amongst many other wonderful visits. It brought her an up front and personal respect for the awesomeness of our God's handiwork and power.

Rudy will be very much missed by her family, friends, acquaintances and colleagues. Al has lost, for a time, his best friend, life partner, sweetheart and travel companion.

A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, October 24 at 12:00 noon at Wheaton Bible Church, 27500 North Ave., West Chicago, IL 60185.  Friends may visit with the family prior to the service from 10:30 to noon.

A livestream of the memorial service will be available here: Service for Ruth Vander Klay

In lieu of flowers, we are asking for donations to Caring Network Illinois (caringnetwork.com)