Ruth Geraldine (Boven) Bazuin of Falmouth and formerly of McBain, Marion, Tustin, Grand Rapids, and Vogel Center, Michigan, found her ultimate victory in Jesus on Sunday, September 13, 2026. She was 91.

Ruth was born in Vogel Center on June 27, 1935, the 15th of 16 children born to Johannes and Anna (Mulder) Boven. She grew up in Falmouth, and after her father died in 1944, her mother raised her and several of her siblings on her own. Ruth attended Northern Michigan Christian School, graduating in 1953 as one of the first NMC Comet Cheerleaders.

Ruth met Harold Bazuin during “Dutch Parade” after a Young People’s Society meeting at Prosper Christian Reformed Church, and they married at Prosper Christian Reformed Church on September 7, 1956. They lived in Grand Rapids until 1961, when they returned up north to join Harold’s family’s farm business, and they raised their five children there. They attended the Highland Christian Reformed Church (Harold’s home church), where both Ruth and Harold were actively involved in service and leadership for decades.

After Harold’s death in 1997, Ruth continued the farm business with her son Dan and then with her daughter Mary Beth and son-in-law Steve, until she sold the farm to her nephew in 2006 and built a new home with Mary Beth and Steve. In 2016, they sold the house and Ruth moved to Countryview Apartments in McBain, where she lived until 2025. She was residing at Quiet Creek Assisted Living in Falmouth, just down the street from where she grew up, until her passing.

At various points in her life, aside from her work on the farm, Ruth worked as a grocery store clerk, a telephone operator, an insurance clerk, a cook at the Marion Livestock Auction lunchroom (her raisin bran muffins were a big hit there), a hairdresser for friends and family, and an election official. She loved to sew and quilt and created many outfits and stuffed animals for her children and grandchildren as well as things to sell at the annual McBain Craft Fair. And she made the best pineapple rhubarb pies and raisin-filled cookies, from her mother’s recipes.

Ruth enjoyed puzzles and playing cards and board games with family and friends. She loved reunions and reconnecting with her large extended family. Ruth was a child of God, loved her church and her church family, and loved to sing. But the role she loved most was that of Mom to her five children, as well as Gramma, Great Gramma, and Great Great Gramma. Having a baby in her arms brought Ruth the most joy.

For many years, Ruth raised funds door-to-door for the American Cancer Society. Ruth’s family was significantly impacted by cancer - her father, several siblings, and husband succumbed to the disease - and she was a cancer survivor herself. She participated in Relay for Life with her sister Dort for many years as well.

Ruth is survived by her children: Kathleen Warren, Daniel Bazuin, Mary Beth (John) Enderle, and Douglas (Michael) Schiazza; her grandchildren: Bill Dore, Jes (Fitz) Fitzgerald, Leeta Dore, David (Char) Warren, Pamela (Mike) Rynearson, Brent Warren, Jessica (Greg) Barttels, Danny Bazuin, Bill (Katy) Hill, Keli (Nick) Causey; 30 great-grandchildren, 14 great-great-grandchildren; former son-in-law Mark Dore, former daughter-in-law Diane Paul; and many nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her husband, Harold; her daughter, Peggy; her sons-in-law, Steve Hill and Bill Warren; her parents Joe and Anna Boven; her parents-in-law, Bill and Freda Bazuin;her siblings, Hermina, Nellie I, Richard, Henrietta (Henry) DeRuiter, Minard (Helen), Nellie II, Gerald, Nancy (Wesley) Van Haitsma, Maureen Leach, Genevieve, Joan (Ken) Meyer, Kathryn (James) Mustee, Tom (Shirley), Dorothy (Ed) Kroes, and Gladys (Jerry) Huttenga; and her in-laws, Jim and Gert Bazuin.

Visitation will be on Thursday, September 17 from 4-7pm at the Burkholder-Nielsen Funeral Home in McBain. Funeral will take place on Friday, September 18 at 11am at the Highland Christian Reformed Church, Rev. Mark Bonnes officiating, with burial immediately afterward at Highland Hillside Cemetery. Luncheon to follow in the Highland CRC fellowship hall, dress comfortably. Memorial contributions can be made to the American Cancer Society. The family is being served by the Burkholder-Nielsen Funeral Home in McBain, the online obituary can be seen at burkholderfunerals.com