Obituary of Shirley Vruwink

Shirley J. Vruwink, 77, formerly of 3980 State Highway 13 North, Wisconsin Rapids, passed away late Monday evening at Riverview Hospital, Wisconsin Rapids, from complications of Alzheimer?s disease. Services will be at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, June 29, 2013, at The First Presbyterian Church, Arpin, WI. The Reverend Marcia Thomas will officiate. Burial will be in Restlawn Memorial Park Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. on Friday, June 28, 2013, at Herman-Taylor Funeral Home and Cremation Center and from 9:30 a.m. on Saturday until the time of services at the church. Shirley was born in the Town of Sigel on August 2, 1935, to Frank and Agnes (Ebbe) Westfall. Shirley graduated from Lincoln High School, Wisconsin Rapids, in 1953. She was united in marriage to Edward W. Vruwink on October 13, 1956, at St. John?s United Church of Christ, Arpin, WI. He predeceased her on August 13, 2008. Shirley was employed at Consolidated Papers, Inc. and then with the State of Wisconsin Unemployment Compensation Department for 38 years. Shirley was a member of the First Presbyterian Church, the Ladies Aid, and also taught Sunday school. She and Edward were General Leaders of the Snyder 4-H Club for fifty years. She was also a member of the Jr. Fair Board, Marshfield. She enjoyed many social clubs with hobbies including cooking, baking, gardening, and reading. She loved her five children and her ten grandchildren dearly and enjoyed attending their sporting events, musicals, and recitals. She loved hosting holiday dinners for her family and her extended family. Survivors include her five children: John (Rauni) Vruwink, Wisconsin Rapids; Patti (David) Kumm, Port Edwards; Edward T. (Dawn) Vruwink, Rudolph; Dr. Daniel (Krystal) Vruwink, Wisconsin Rapids; and Brian Vruwink, Wisconsin Rapids. Her ten precious grandchildren: Margaret and Madeline Kumm; Brenton and Ariana Vruwink; Jena and Erik Vruwink; and Frank, Kate, Jack, and Paige Vruwink. She is also survived by her sister, Dorothy Zimmerman, Wisconsin Rapids, and brother, Robert (Anita) Westfall, Wisconsin Rapids; brothers-in-law: William (Joan) Vruwink, Auburndale; Howard Vruwink, Wisconsin Rapids; James Vruwink, Milladore; Ira Vruwink, Jr., Vesper; and sisters-in-law: Helen Vruwink, Milladore; Karen Vruwink, Crandon; Carol (Thomas) Hanneman, Port Edwards; Shirley Mertes, Wisconsin Rapids; and Margie Schenk, Rudolph. She was preceded in death by her parents; her sister and brother-in-law, Margaret and Glenn Buchanan; her sister and brother-in-law, Betty and James Wulf; and her brother-in-law, Fred Zimmerman. She is also preceded in death by her brothers-in-law: Donald Vruwink, Lewis Vruwink, James Mertes, and Jerome Schenk; and sisters-in-law: Donna Vruwink, Inge Vruwink, and Betty Vruwink. The family wishes to extend a thank you to the entire staff at Hilltop Assisted Living, Riverview Hospital, Dr. Ruta Pakalns, and Dr. George Hathaway for their exceptional care and kindness to Shirley. Memorials may be designated to the Edward W. and Shirley J. Vruwink Scholarship Fund in care of Incourage Community Foundation, Wisconsin Rapids. Mother?. A Mother holds her child?s hand for just a short time, but holds their hearts forever?