Ruth Van Maanen

Rock Valley, IA: Ruth Irene Van Maanen, 92, of Rock Valley, Iowa, died Wednesday, June 23, 2021, at Whispering Heights in Rock Valley. Funeral Services will be held Monday, June 28, at 11:00 AM at Faith Reformed Church in Rock Valley with Pastors Keith Sietstra and Mike Molenaar officiating. Burial will follow at Valley View Cemetery in Rock Valley. Visitation, with the family present, will be held prior to the funeral from 9:30-10:30 AM at the church. Porter Funeral Home of Rock Valley is assisting the family with arrangements.

Ruth Irene Van Maanen, daughter of Brandt “Bernie” and Effie (Moss) Van Heukelom, was born February 23, 1929, at Sioux Center, Iowa. After graduating from high school in 1946, Ruth attended Northwestern College and received her teaching certificate in 1949. She then taught in a country school, Milford School District, and Rock Valley School District. On June 17, 1952, Ruth was united in marriage with John E. Van Maanen at Hull, Iowa. The couple raised 8 children and farmed north of Rock Valley for 35 years before moving into town in 1987.

Over the years Ruth was active with various activities. She taught piano lessons, was a part of the Ladies Farm Bureau, Christian Women’s Club, and Senior Saints where she played the piano and sang. She was also a member of Faith Reformed Church. Ruth enjoyed traveling, gardening, and crafting. Her greatest joy was spending time with her large family.

Ruth is survived by her 8 children, Randy Van Maanen of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Sandra Butterfield of Atlanta, Georgia, Rachel (Dave) Clover of Sioux City, Iowa, Belinda (Steve) Humphrey of Green Bay, Wisconsin, Doris (Jeff) Gregg of Aurelia, Iowa, Terry (Sue) Van Maanen of Rock Valley, Lorna (Ray) Mundy of Gray, Iowa, and Sally (Tim) Mills of Marshalltown, Iowa; 17 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; and sister, Kathleen “Katy” Vander Velde of Sanborn, Iowa.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Bernie and Effie Van Heukelom; husband, John E. Van Maanen; son-in-law, Wally Butterfield; daughter-in-law, Luana Van Maanen; brothers-in-law, Gerrit, Jim, and Henry Van Maanen, Hubert Landegent, Art Vanden Bosch, and Kenneth Vander Velde; and sisters-in-law, Berdena and Elda Van Maanen, and Wilhelmina Landegent.