A funeral service for Elaine was held at 10:00 AM on Saturday, September 28, 2024, at Downtown Church in Milford. Burial took place at 1:30 PM on Saturday at Valley View Cemetery in Rock Valley. Visitation was from 5:00 to 7:00 PM on Friday, September 27, at Turner Jenness Funeral Home in Milford.
Elaine (VanVoorst) DeRuyterwas born October 13, 1943, in Rock Valley, Iowa. She often shared memories of her childhood and the love she had for her parents and siblings. She loved visiting her dad’s office after school where he would give her money for a treat and a hug, waiting for the neighbors to come home to watch Flash Gordon with her brother Harlan and getting free popcorn from her older brother Jim’s popcorn stand. They took several vacations to California and the Black Hills. She graduated from Hull Western Christian in 1961, making friendships with 3 ladies that lasted their lifetimes.
Elaine met the love of her life, John DeRuyter, on a blind date in 1960. He joined the Army, and they exchanged hundreds of letters before getting married on January 10, 1962, while John was home on a 2 week leave. They moved to Schwabisch Hall, Germany, where John was stationed. There she met new friends and learned about the German culture, food and the game Hollywood Rummy. Elaine would go on to teach her siblings, children and grandchildren this game and eventually was given the name ‘card shark’ as she rarely lost a game.
After returning to the States, they made their home in Spencer, Iowa, where she was a homemaker, raising 4 children. She enjoyed sewing clothes, garage sales with her Mom and reading. She always made a special cake for every birthday and never missed an event, concert, or any chance to spend time with those she loved. After 34 years and John’s retirement, they moved to the lakes area where she was able to spoil her grandchildren with countless activities and cookies for breakfast. She enjoyed trips to Florida to visit her sister Glenda and her brother Ron and a cruise for their 50th Anniversary.
Elaine was a beautiful woman who was the epitome of grace, love, and selflessness. She spent her life taking care of everyone around her and never turned down an opportunity to help someone and make them feel loved. If you sat at her table, you were family. Her arms were always open for a hug, her laugh was infectious, and her faith was strong and unwavering. Her example is something her family will strive to remember and carry forward as her legacy.
Elaine passed away on September 23, 2024, at the age of 80, surrounded by her children and grandchildren.
Elaine is survived by her daughter, Deb (Nick) Thilges of Owasso, Oklahoma and their children, Nicole (Andy) Riggs and Jordan (Brett) Arnold; son, Brian (Tina) DeRuyter of Woodbury, Minnesota and his children, Abbey and Drew DeRuyter; son, Scott (Sheila) DeRuyter of Milford, Iowa and children Zach (Ashley) DeRuyter, Dustin DeRuyter, Noah, Ella, Eva, and Olivia DeRuyter; daughter, Lisa Arrowood of Spirit Lake, Iowa and her children Kaycee, Rylie, Mason and Avery Arrowood and Finley McNab; great-grandchildren, Caleb and Connor Riggs, Parker and Cohen Arnold, Zaiden and Azalea DeRuyter; brothers, Harlan (Carol) VanVoorst of Sioux Falls, SD and Ron VanVoorst of Fort Myers, Florida; and nieces, nephews and friends.
Elaine was preceded in death by her husband of 57 years John DeRuyter; parents, Sam and Eva VanVoorst; her brother, James VanVoorst; and sister, Glenda Rhodes.
Turner Jenness Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. www.turnerfuneralhomes.com