Ruth Boltze

We are only given so many years on this earth and no matter how many possessions or how much money we leave behind, our legacy is always determined by our character and the way we lived. Although Ruth Ann Boltze never had a lot of money or material things, she was generous and willingly gave all that she had to the people around her. Friendly and outgoing, she had a certain warmth to her personality that made both friends and strangers feel comfortable in her presence. Early in life Ruth learned that if you work hard and put your mind to something, you can achieve anything, and that she did. She led a rich life, full of loving family, great moments, and countless memories. As the 1930s drew to a close, the economic depression that had sat like a black cloud above the country was finally starting to lift. With an economy built on coal and bolstered by steel, the start of World War II in Europe had been a virtual windfall for Pennsylvania and its population. While the state's prosperity was something to be thankful for, in the spring of 1941, Ralph and Ruth (Bedillion) Dias had a much bigger reason to celebrate. On April 18th of that year, they proudly welcomed a daughter named Ruth Ann. Not even a year after Ruth was born, America became caught up in the war that was polarizing the world and her father was called to serve in the Army. When he returned home to his family, however, they decided to leave Pennsylvania in search of a better future. Ruth and her siblings, which included one sister, Robin, and one brother, Ralph, followed along as their parents moved them from town to town. In the years since they had left Pennsylvania, Ruth's father found work at several oil fields in Michigan, before finally settling down in Brighton. Ruth attended high school in Brighton and was well known for her stunning good looks. In fact, she was given the official title of prettiest girl in her senior class. Her high school sweetheart was a handsome athlete named Herb Snyder, whom she married a short time after graduation. In 1960, they welcomed a son, Dean, followed by another son, Dennis, in 1967. Ruth was a full-time homemaker and mother to the boys, while Herb worked and attended school. In the early 70s, Ruth and Herb decided to end their marriage and part ways. The divorce settlement was not kind to Ruth and, for a time, things were very difficult for her, both emotionally and financially. Leaving behind their home in the Muskegon area, she and the boys moved around a bit before settling in Fruitport. Determined to make a new life for her family, Ruth found a job in the business office at Mercy Hospital. This was a good start, but there were still times when she had to take on a second job just to make ends meet. All of her hard work at Mercy eventually paid off and she became the office supervisor. Ruth wasn't at Mercy for long when she was introduced by a co-worker to a man named Jerry Boltze. It might not have been love at first site, but it was definitely a case of opposites attract. Compared to Ruth's warm and friendly personality, Jerry was much more reserved. They began dating and, after several years together, decided to marry. Following the wedding, Ruth moved into Jerry's house in nearby Cloverville. A new home, however, wasn't the only thing Ruth was in the mood for. She was feeling in a bit of a rut at Mercy and decided to start looking for a fresh start at a new job. With her outgoing nature, she found that working as a pharmacy tech at Ellis Pharmacy in Cloverville was a good fit for her. Several years later, Ellis Pharmacy was sold and Ruth decided not to work for the new owners. Instead, she chose to turn her love for animals into a career as a dog groomer. She started by working at a shop, but soon found that she was talented enough to venture out on her own. The good word of mouth she received spread like wildfire and kept her appointment book filled. Somehow, even though she already worked out of her house, she found a way to take her work home with her by boarding dogs. When owners returned for their dogs, the dogs usually preferred to stay with Ruth because of the wonderful care and attention she gave them. They were her babies and she kept a picture of each one of them on a wall at her house. In the end, it was her chronic back problems that forced her to close the doors to her business for good. Ruth spent the last years of her life living in an apartment at Pine Grove Manor with her little Shih Tzu, Mollie. She preferred having a space of her own to retreat to, but still spent many dinners and weekends in the company of Jerry. About one year ago, Ruth began a valiant battle with lung cancer, but her fight was made more difficult when she suffered a heart attack. At the beginning of March, her health was dealt one final blow when she had a stroke. Jerry rushed home from Florida to be by her side when she finally found peace at VNS Hospice House. In her lifetime she was a generous and loving mother, grandmother, companion, and friend, who in passing will be dearly missed and fondly remembered by all. Mrs. Ruth A. Boltze, age 65, died Saturday, March 10, 2007. Surviving her are 2 sons, Dean (Lisa) Snyder of Fruitport, Dennis (Marlo Belmarez) Snyder of Cloverville; Mother, Ruth Dias of Brighton, MI; former husband and very special friend, Jerry Boltze, 1 sister Robin (Corky) Lillie of Brighton, MI; 1 brother Ralph Dias of Brighton, MI; 3 grandchildren, DJ Snyder, Cody Snyder, Marissa "Peanut" Snyder; Step Children, Kristi, Mike, Mark & Kelly. Ruth was preceded in death by 3 infant children, Herb, Darrell & Darin. Services will be held on Wednesday, March 14, 2007, 2:00 PM, at Clock Life Story Funeral Home - Fruitport. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, 6-8 PM, at Clock Life Story Funeral Home - Fruitport. Memorial contributions may be made to the Muskegon Humane Society or VNS Hospice House. Please visit Ruth's personal memory page at www.lifestorynet.com to leave a memory or sign the online guest book.