Ruth VanDyke

RUTH A. VANDYKE

Cedar Rapids

Ruth A. VanDyke, 87, of Cedar Rapids, passed away Monday, April 18, 2016, after a three-year battle with dementia. Celebration of Life: 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday, April 21, at Murdoch-Linwood Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Cedar Rapids. Private family burial will be held at a later date at Linwood Cemetery, Cedar Rapids.

She is survived by her children, Terryl (Ron) David and Gerald "Gary" (Mary) VanDyke Jr., all of Cedar Rapids; grandchildren, Scott (Dana) David of North Liberty and Bill (Dana) VanDyke and Angela VanDyke (Tyler Smith), all of Cedar Rapids; great-grandchildren, Rachel David and Parker Pierson; and two great-great-grandchildren, Adi and P.J.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Gerald; and three brothers, Richard, Robert and Roger Smith.

Ruth was born May 10, 1928, the daughter of Floyd and Clara Smith, who farmed near Colfax, Iowa. She married the love of her life, Gerald "Jerry" VanDyke Sr., on Dec. 6, 1947. Though they knew each other only two weeks, they enjoyed 67 years of marriage. Jerry passed away on Aug. 18, 2015. Ruth and Jerry loved camping, boating and loved their family above all else. They enjoyed their cabin at Lake Ponderosa for many years and made great friends there.

Ruth retired from Square D in Cedar Rapids, and was active in the Square D Credit Union for many years. She was always the life of the party and loved time with her family and friends. Ruth enjoyed life to the fullest. She will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her.

Her family is grateful for all the compassionate care she received at Heritage Care, Cedar Rapids, for the last three years and the hospice group, Care Initiatives, at Heritage in her last few days.

Memorials may be directed to the family.

Please share a memory of Ruth at www.murdochfuneralhome.com under obituaries.