Ruth I Bartels

Ruth I. (Kent) Bartels passed away peacefully on Friday, August 8, 2014, at Tendercare of Holland. She was born to Francis and Mary (Dangl) Kent of Muskegon, June 29, 1922. She was one of eight children.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 46 years Bernard Bartels in 1987.

She is survived by her 7 children, Bruce (Millie) Bartels, Diane Bartels (Karen VanTuinen), Lyn (Les) Bull, Dave (Barbara) Bartels, Christine (Dan) Taylor, Bill (Kathy) Bartels, Pat (Steve) Brinks, 20 grandchildren, 13 great grandchildren and sisters Helen Wright and Mary Jane Campbell and in-laws Rose Kent, Leona Boerigter, and James and Erma Bartels.

Ruth was a strong, loving and caring woman devoted to her faith, family and friends. She was known for her farming, culinary skills, sewing and bird watching. She stayed up-to-date on current events as an avid reader. Among her notable accomplishments include serving as an Olive Township Board Trustee, advocate against turning Pigeon Creek Park into a landfill and being involved in the Widowed Persons Support Group of the Greater Holland Area. For the past six years, she enjoyed living in the Tendercare Community and being a caring friend to all who knew her.

A memorial service will be held at 3 PM on Sunday, August 17 at Second Reformed Church in Zeeland, 225 E. Central Ave. with a time for visiting the family from 2-3 PM prior to the service.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers donations can be made to Second Reformed Church of Zeeland or to Love Inspired Water Outreach http://www.loveinspiredoutreach.org/donate-now.html. Donations should indicate "In Memory of Ruth Bartels".