Ruth Kooiman Thompson's Obituary
Ruth Kooiman Thompson went to meet her Lord and Savior, December 9, 2020. Born in Muskegon on May 8, 1930, she was the 13th child of William and Hendrika (VandeKoppel) Kooiman. Growing up she worked with her siblings in the family grocery store, Kooiman’s Food Store. On March 20, 1948, she married the love of her life John (Jack) Thompson at the Berean Church. They were married 68 years. Ruth worked as an administrative assistant for Consumers Power Company and retired in 1986. Ruth and Jack enjoyed winters in Florida for 20 years. For many years, Memorial Day weekends were spent with her Kooiman siblings who joined together from all over the country. They reminisced the memories of living with a such large family. Ruth lived up to the Biblical meaning of her name: devoted companion, friend, vision of beauty. She was a talented self taught pianist, decorator and felt it was very important to “dress up” with her hair done! Ruth was a life member of the Berean Church (Anchor Point Bible Church) and a prayer warrior to her faith. She will be greatly missed by her daughter, Jackie Ruth (Jim) Toppen; grandchildren, Brian (Angela) Toppen and Kristin (Chris) VanSolkema; great-grandchildren, Gavin, Maya Ruth, Bryson VanSolkema and Hunter Toppen who affectionately called her Oma. In addition to her parents, Ruth was preceded in death by husband, Jack in 2016; son, Johnnie and all of her brothers and sisters. Due to COVID restrictions, a service will be held in the Spring to celebrate Ruth’s life. Arrangements by The Lee Chapel of Sytsema Funeral & Cremation Services, 6291 S. Harvey St., Norton Shores, MI 49444.
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