Ruth passed away on August 30, 2026. She was the daughter of Arthur and Agnes (Zylstra) Harms born on July 20, 1930. Ruth graduated from East High School in 1949. A couple of years later she met the love of her life A. Wayne Chalke. They married August 23rd in 1952 and had two daughters Collene Chalke and Joan (Chalke) Peterson. Ruth loved to dance, working with stained glass, knitting, ceramics and Swedish weaving. She worked at Sears in the catalog department for 17 years. Ruth loved spending time with family and friends in IL, SD, AZ, WI and MI. She later married John Van Veelen on June 7th 2008. 

She is survived by her two daughters, one grandson, Joseph and Kelly (Wills) Wasco, (2) greatgrandchilden, Danielle and Carl Wasco. (1) sister, Marilyn (Rick)(Harms) Paul. Special nieces, Cindy (Dave) (Chalke) Maynard, and Susan (Dan) (Harms) Thompson, and many nieces and nephews. Ruth is predeceased by her husbands Wayne Chalke and John Van Veelen, parents Arthur and Agnes Harms, brother LaVern Harms, and sister Judy Harms. 

Ruth’s celebration of life will be held at a later date.