Died September 2, 2024
Ruth Phyllis Koeze was born in Oak Lawn, Illinois on December 22, 1940. She passed away on September 2, 2024 after a sudden decline in her health. She was 83 years old.
Ruth was predeceased by her husband of 51 years, A. Scott Koeze. She was also predeceased by her parents, Claude and Grace Teggelaar, and her brother John “Jack” Teggelaar. Ruth is survived by her children, Jeffrey Koeze (Katharine), Cynthia Koeze (Jerry Bell) and Kristin Sterkenburg (Ryan). She is also survived by her four grandchildren and one great grandchild. After their marriage in 1960, Ruth and Scott lived in the Grand Rapids, Michigan area, eventually retiring to Northport, Michigan. Ruth was a skilled skier and very competitive on the tennis court. In retirement she loved spending lazy Sundays fishing on Lake Leelanau. Ruth was also an avid gardener, an excellent cook and gracious hostess. At their ranch in Northport, Ruth and Scott raised horses and cared for many rescue dogs and cats over the years. They enjoyed traveling to Aspen in their early days, and Naples, Florida and Santa Fe, New Mexico in later years.
