Jennie Van Ruler was born on February 29, 1924 to Evert and Cornelia (Vader Braak) Vander Haar in Lunteren, Netherlands. Her family immigrated to the United States in September 1936 and made their home in Chandler, Minnesota. To improve her English, Jennie attended country school at the eighth grade level for one year. On July 12, 1945, Jennie was united in marriage to Martin Van Ruler at the Chandler Christian Reformed Church. The two lived on a farm with Martin’s parents for half a year and then they moved to their farm near Woodstock, Minnesota. The first five years there they had no power and Martin farmed with horses for the first couple years. Along with being a homemaker, Jennie helped often with the farm work. She and Martin spent 45 years living on the farm. In 1990, they moved into Edgerton and in 2010 they moved into the assisted living facility at Edgebrook Care Center. In January of 2014, Martin and Jennie transitioned to the Edgebrook Care Center. On June 13, 2017, Martin passed away. On July 23, 2017, Jennie passed away at the Edgebrook Care Center at the age of 93 years, four months and 23 days.
Jennie was a member of the First Christian Reformed Church in Edgerton and formerly the Chandler Christian Reformed Church. She participated in Women’s Bible Study and was a member of the Southwest MN Christian High School Circle where she helped quilt many quilts. Jennie enjoyed sewing and quilting. Her children, grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren were blessed with afghans, quilts, and crocheted baby blankets. Throughout the years, Jennie helped with disaster relief with the CRWRC. The couple liked to take trips, especially to Holland; they went there seven times.
She is lovingly remembered by her sons and their families:
Harvey (Marcia) Van Ruler
Denise (Brad) Gravenhof: Makayla, Jordyn
Keri (Chad) VanSchepen: Bryce, Ethan
Dave Van Ruler: Kelsey, Kacee
Elden (Barb) Van Ruler
Kevin (Nicole) Toby: Laura
Jason (Amy) Toby: Jackson, Layne
Bob (Geri) Van Ruler
Amy (Paul) Ross: Laura, Jacob
Michael (Nancy) Van Ruler: Emily, Lindsey, Kaylie
Daniel (Stephanie) Van Ruler: Amayah, Addisyn, Kadrian
Leroy “Lee” (Deb) Van Ruler
Alan (Janel) Van Ruler: Abigail, Micah
Andrea (Jim) Fisher: Samuel, Elise
Aaron (Sadee) Van Ruler
Greg Van Ruler
Andrew Van Ruler
Kaitlin (Trey) Van Essen
Miranda Van Ruler
Mark (Kathy) Van Ruler
Logan Van Ruler
Kaleb Van Ruler
She is also survived by her brothers Albert (Henrietta) and John (Harriet) Vander Haar. Sister-in-Law Carolyn (Harry) Van Dam.
Jennie was preceded in death most recently by her husband, Martin and by her parents, Evert and Conelia; and her brother, Evert Vander Haar, Jr., sister-in-law Jo Vander Haar.
Memorials may be directed to the Edgerton First Christian Reformed Church Radio Fund.
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