Ruth E. DeVries, 78, passed away peacefully at home in Prescott, AZ, on July 23, 2015.
Ruth was born in Peoria, Iowa, to Henry and Minnie Dahm on Sept. 3, 1936. She graduated from Pella Christian High School in 1954, and after graduating, she went to work for Vermeer Manufacturing in the bookkeeping department.
Aug. 12, 1955, Ruth married Ted DeVries from Sully. In 1956, Ruth and Ted moved to Glendale, AZ. The couple moved to Wickenburg, AZ, in 1957, where they made their home for 47 years and raised their four children. Ted and Ruth enjoyed many years taking their children on trips that included going to car shows, summer vacations to Iowa, and around the United States.
Ruth was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grand-mother. Ruth was a member of Calvary Baptist Church where she was active in Women's Ministries, choir, lead Bible studies, taught Sunday School, and mentored many young women, truly defining a Proverbs 31 woman.
In 2004, Ruth and Ted moved to Prescott, AZ, where they enjoyed the beautiful climate and scenery of the mountains and pines. Ruth was an active member of the First Baptist Church where she and Ted enjoyed the Friendship Sunday School class and made many friends throughout the church. Ruth was a member of the Prescott Iris Club, and her hobby of growing beautiful Irises in her garden gave her great joy. She was also an avid seamstress.
Ted and Ruth were members of the Prescott Antique Auto Club where they enjoyed many activities and made many dear friends.
Ruth is survived by her loving husband of 60 years, Ted De Vries; sons Terry (Debbie) De Vries, Tim (Lisa) De Vries; daughters Tammy (Delbert) Wheeler and Natasha (Kirby) Johnson; 14 grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren whom she loved dearly. Ruth is also survived by her two brothers, Arnold (Sue) Dahm of Cleveland Heights, OH, and John (Sandy) Dahm of Montezuma; four sisters, Marjorie (Rich) Fopma of Pella, Norma (Ron) Hiemstra of Des Moines, Barbara Slinker of Des Moines, and Erma (Al) Guise of St. Louis, MO; and three brothers-in-law and spouses.
A memorial service was held Wednesday, July 29, at the First Baptist Church of Prescott, AZ.
