Martin Van Ruler was born on February 6, 1923, in Leota Township, Nobles County, Minnesota to Henry and Marjte (Buys) Van Ruler.  He was raised and attended country school near Leota and Chandler, Minnesota.  On July 12, 1945, he was united in marriage to Jennie Wilhelmina Vander Haar at the Chandler Christian Reformed Church.  The two lived on a farm with his 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.  They lived on that farm for 45 years.  In 1990, they moved into Edgerton and in 2010 they moved into the assisted Living in Edgebrook.  In January of 2014, Martin and Jennie moved into Edgebrook Care Center where he resided until his death on Tuesday, June 13, 2017, at the age of 94 years, four months, and seven days.

 

Martin was a member of the First Christian Reformed Church in Edgerton and formerly the Chandler Christian Reformed Church.  He was a deacon for four years and an elder for six in Chandler.  He and Jennie helped with disaster relief with the CRWRC throughout the years.  The couple liked to take trips, especially to Holland; they went there seven times.  Many will remember Martin trying to teach them Dutch words.  He always enjoyed conversing in Dutch.  Martin liked to go fishing, gardening, and truly loved farming.  He was a farmer at heart, doing field work and hauling corn until his eyesight finally failed.

 

He is lovingly remembered by his wife, Jennie, of Edgerton;  his 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

 

Martin was preceded in death by his brothers, Joe (Mary), John (Gertie), Guys (Mildred); one infant brother, Guys; sisters, Jennie (Pete) De Kruif, Gertie; Eva (Henry) VanDam, Ann (Joe) Ruiter.

 

Memorials will be directed to the Edgerton First Christian Reformed Church Radio Fund.