Ruth Arntson

Ruth Arntson lived her life by the phrase, Easy does it. She was a strong, steady woman, caring and contented with the simple pleasures in life, who devoted her life to the two most important things, her family and her faith. Ruth was a loving mother, grandmother, and wife, and a good friend to many. Most of all, she was a fine lady with a wonderful life, a life we were so blessed to have shared. Ruths story began on a hot summer day in 1921, as the haze settled on the horizon in Whitehall, Michigan. Those were times of change in this country, as newly-elected President Warren Harding promised the American people a return to normalcy, during the start of the Roaring 20s and the Prohibition era. On August 20, 1921, Herman and Ebba (Segerquist) Ahlstedt celebrated the birth of a beautiful baby girl, a daughter they named Ruth Marjorie. Ruth was the fourth of six children in the family, joining her big siblings Lorraine, Helen and James, and joined by her little sisters Doris and Jane. The family lived on Mears Avenue in Whitehall, and her dad was a hardworking man at the tannery, while her mom cared for the kids and the home. Ruth enjoyed a delightful childhood, and was quite a tomboy growing up, too. She loved playing and swimming in White Lake nearby, or chasing her beloved dog Tippy around the woods. She was very athletic, too, and liked sports as a girl. The Ahlstedts were a good Christian family of Swedish decent, and they faithfully attended the Evangelical Covenant Church each Sunday, where the basis for Ruths lifelong faith was formed. Ruth attended Whitehall Public Schools, and eventually Whitehall High School. As a teenager, Ruth spent her summers working at the local resorts, waiting on tables and cleaning the rooms along with one of her sisters. After she graduated from Whitehall, Ruth began attending Muskegon Business College, to study Secretarial Skills, as was so common in those days. Eventually she moved to Muskegon with her sister Jane, and lived in a little upstairs apartment. Ruth eventually went to work as a secretary at Continental Motors, where she met a wonderful young man named William Arntson, who worked as a metallurgist there. The two struck up a friendship, and eventually began dating, but they were soon separated by World War II. Ruth continued working at Continental, and anxiously awaited Bills safe return home. When the war ended and Bill came back to Muskegon, the young couple picked up where they left off, falling in love. Ruth and Bill were married on May 15, 1948, the beginning of a beautiful life together, one filled with family and fond memories. The newlyweds moved into a home on Liberty Street in the Sherman Manor neighborhood, a lovely home where they shared so many great times, and where Ruth would live the rest of her days. It wasnt long before the new couple became parents, as well. Ruth and Bill welcomed their son David in 1950, followed by daughter Margaret in 1952, and son Thomas rounded out the happy family in 1955. Ruth was a wonderful wife and mother, who created a terrific home environment for her children to grow up in. The Arntson home was the gathering place for the neighborhood kids, and her home and heart were always open. Ruth was an incredible cook, a magician in the kitchen, and her Swedish meatballs, scalloped potatoes and rice pudding were always crowd-pleasers. She delighted in making huge family dinners, and playing hostess for their many great gatherings over the years, from family reunions to church groups and more. The family were faithful members of the Mission Covenant Church, which later became the Forest Park Covenant Church. They were very active members, and a good deal of their social life revolved around their church activities and friends. When her children grew up and began families of their own, Ruth couldnt have been happier or more proud. She adored her grandkids, and loved attending their sporting events and other activities. If one of them was mentioned or had their picture in the paper, it was sure to be carefully clipped and posted in a place of honor on Ruths refrigerator! When Ruth and Bill retired, they enjoyed traveling to neighboring cities for the day, or going out for breakfast at the Mill Inn, Russs or the Cherokee, where they were sure to socialize with friends and fellow retirees. Ruth enjoyed things of her own, as well, from her jigsaw puzzles, to listening to the Chicago Cubs games or the talk shows on WGN radio. Ruth and Bill enjoyed watching TV, too, though usually different programs and in different rooms! Ruth was a woman who enjoyed the simple pleasures in life, and never wanted for much. She was very content in life, kept a rotary phone on the wall in the kitchen, and never even wanted a microwave, as her stove and oven worked just fine. She never learned to drive a car, either, never seeing the need. Ruth suffered a difficult blow in 2004, when her beloved husband Bill sadly died, after 56 years of wonderful marriage. It was a tough time for her, though she persevered, relying on her family and her faith. She would call upon her faith again, as she battled breast cancer and survived. Ruth filled her days with her church activities, especially her Bible study group, and loved spending time with her children and grandchildren, and was always willing and able to make them a meal when they visited. Ruths health eventually began to decline, as the years took their toll on her. Sadly, she passed away on Saturday, October 18, 2008, at the age of 87. Ruth was a wonderful woman, who lived a wonderful life, a life devoted to her family and her faith. She was a strong, steady woman, contented with the simple pleasures in life, and appreciative of things she had. Ruth was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and friend, and a woman blessed with much. We were so blessed to have known her. She will be greatly missed. Ruth is survived by her sons, David (Sharon) Arntson of Holland, & Thomas (Karen) Arntson of Muskegon; daughter, Margaret (Dave) McLouth of Muskegon; grandchildren, Kerra, Brandon, Tracy, Marie, Jonathon, Michelle & Patrick; great grandchildren, Jacob, Benjamin, Samantha, Jordan, Quinn, Abbey, brother, James (Doris) Ahlstedt of North Muskegon; sisters, Lorraine Funnell of Norton Shores, Doris Ahlstedt of Skokie IL, Jane Tiffen of Northbrook IL. She was preceded in death by her husband, William in 2004; grandson, Joseph Arntson in 1999. Services are scheduled for Wednesday, October 22, 2008, 3:00 PM at Forest Park Covenant Church with Rev. Paul Bengtson officiating. Interment at Norton Shores Cemetery. Visitation is Wednesday, 2-3 PM at Forest Park Covenant Church. Memorial donations may be made to Forest Park Covenant Church. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com to share a memory or sign the online guest book.