Ruth Marie (Verbeten) Vanderhoef

Ruth Marie Vanderhoef, age 87, passed away Saturday, October 10, 2009, at her residence surrounded by her loving family. Ruth was born in Racine, March 3, 1922, daughter of the late John and Edna (Nee: Lynch) Verbeten.

On May 9, 1942, at St. Joseph Catholic Church she was united in marriage to Willis F. Vanderhoef. Ruth was a longtime and dedicated member of St. Rita Catholic Church, Christian Mothers and the Secular Order of St. Augustine. She was also a proud tribal council member of Brothertown Indian Nation. Ruth was a collector of bells, plates and spoons. She was famous for baking her delectable breads, buns and cinnamon rolls. She especially enjoyed her many travels with her husband. More than anything, her family was the center of her life and she treasured time with them. After lovingly raising her 17 children Ruth continued to babysit for many grandchildren, nieces and nephews as she loved caring for children. She will be deeply missed.

Survivors include her loving husband of 67 years, Willis; her 17 children, RuthAnn Chernouski, Margaret (Dave) Johnson, William (Paulette) Vanderhoef Sr., Kathleen (Lawrence) Campeau, Daniel (Linda) Vanderhoef, Timothy (Barb) Vanderhoef, Richard (Linda) Vanderhoef, Michael Vanderhoef, Roberta Vanderhoef, Marian (Raymond) Fay, Elizabeth (Terry) Smith, Rosemarie Bark, Joseph (Janet) Vanderhoef, Theresa Smith, Jane (Dennis) Hardy, John Vanderhoef, Christine (Tom) Mapel; 46 grandchildren; 49 great-grandchildren; 4 great-great-grandchildren; sister, Clarice (Ronald) Gall; brother-in-law, Alex Hollow; sisters-in-law, Karen Verbeten, Rosalie Allen; numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and many dear friends. In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her two sons-in-law, Jim Chernouski and William Bark; her granddaughter, Mary Elizabeth; great-granddaughter, Catarina; two brothers, Joseph and Edward; and four sisters, Rosemary Verbeten, Joyce Hollow, Evelyn Bislew and Margaret Highman.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Rita Catholic Church, 4339 Douglas Ave., on Friday, October 16, 2009, at 10:30 a.m. with Rev. Joseph G. Stobba OSA officiating. Entombment will follow at Holy Cross Garden Mausoleum, Hwy 32. Relatives and friends may meet with the family at the funeral home on Thursday from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. (Rosary recited at 6:45 p.m.) and at the church on Friday from 9:30 a.m. until time of Mass. Memorials to St. Rita Catholic Church or to the Alzheimer’s Association have been suggested.

MARESH-MEREDITH & ACKLAM FUNERAL HOME
803 Main St., Racine (262) 634-7888