Ruth Van Hofwegen, 93, of Sioux Falls, SD went to be with our Lord on Sunday, August 3, 2025, at the Dougherty Hospice House.

Visitation with the family present will be from 4 to 6 pm on Thursday, August 7, 2025, at the Miller Southside Chapel, 7400 South Minnesota Avenue. A funeral service will be held at 11 am on Friday, August 8, 2025, at the Miller Southside Chapel with burial at the South Dakota Veteran's Cemetery.

Ruth was born March 4, 1932, on a farm near Griswold, IA, to Guyton and Hazel (Hurlbert) Gittins. At the age of 9, her family moved to Hinton, IA. She went to public schools, graduating from Sioux City Central High School in 1949.

Truly delightful people are not a dime-a-dozen, but if you knew Ruth Ann Van Hofwegen, you knew a delightful person! Ruth always had a smile, always shared a laugh and seemed to figure out people's needs.

She loved her family well. As her grandchildren grew up, they enjoyed her adventurous spirit, being included in her plans of picnics, horseback riding, hiking, trips to the zoo and museums. (Rumor has it , she was not one to allow too much horsin' around in the grocery store—Chris, Holly). All this resulted in a large memory bank with hearts plastered over each deposit.

Ruth married Charles Van Hofwegen on January 28, 1950 in her parents' home near Hinton. Chuck and Ruth moved to a farm house near Hartley (with no indoor plumbing) and started their married life together. Life on the farm saw Ruth learning how to drive tractor and helping with chores. Five years later, with two children, they realized farm life was not for them so the young family moved into Hartley (1955-1963) and Chuck started driving truck. With Chuck working out on the road, Ruth was often the at-home parent through the week. She was not about to be idle with her time. So, Ruth learned how to swim, taking lessons and became a lifeguard at the Hartley swimming pool. Another child was born and, thankfully, there was indoor plumbing!

The next move was to Hospers (1963-1969). Ruth had learned to play piano as a youth and was involved in school choirs. These talents were put to good use in the Hospers church where she sang, conducted the men's choir and was a church organist. She worked as the Hospers City Clerk. Ruth had been involved in 4H sewing and cooking/baking as a teen, entering competitions at the county fair. Her children remember trying new recipes during the week. She even tried her hand at Chef Boyardee pizza from a box with hamburger topping—what a treat! Since then, their tastes have changed and Ruth let Papa Murphy take charge of the pizza making. However, she continued to try new foods and even took a Chinese cooking class in later years.

Orange City (1969-1980) was their home town for a time. All three kids grew up and graduated from high school. Ruth was often seen sitting on a bench, cheering on the high school teams. She continued to be involved in the church and serving others. In 1975, Ruth started nursing school at the same time her youngest child started college. She graduated with her RN degree from Western Iowa Tech and started working at Harmony Nursing Home in Orange City. In her spare time, Ruth took flying lessons, completing her 3 solo cross country flights but opted not to apply for her flying license. Now she knew how to fly the plane in case Chuck got them in the air and was unable to get them down safely.

Littleton, Colorado (1980-1993). Ruth started hiking and downhill skiing when they moved to Colorado. She climbed several 14,000'+ peaks; her photos of the vistas and wild flowers still grace the walls of their home. Her skiing adventures often included her family. Ruth was not a fast skier, but she was determined, she got to the bottom of the hill and was thrilled to be outdoors enjoying the day with her family. Ruth worked at Swedish Hospital in Denver while living in Littleton.

Loveland, Colorado (1993-2015) She finished her nursing career at the age of 73, working at Poudre Valley Hospital in Ft Collins; she specialized in insertion and maintenance of PICC lines. Ruth said the cart was getting too cumbersome because the wheels did not turn direction—too heavy to push around all those hospital corners. Time to retire!

Retirement came with different activities. Ruth had a weekly house cleaning routine designed to keep household chores from accumulating. And, she made the best banana bread and chocolate pudding!

Sioux Falls, South Dakota (2015-2025) Chuck and Ruth attended First CRC until recently, currently worshipping at Abiding Savior Free Lutheran church. Ruth volunteered at the Luke Society office, and was involved in Bible studies.

Always stylish, always had a smile, always a kind word and a helping hand, always interested in you.

Yes, we have been blessed to know Ruth!

Survivors

Ruth will be dearly missed by her husband, Charles; children, Gary Van Hofwegen (Daniele) of Okoboji, IA; Carol Van Hofwegen (Ronald Potter) of Green Valley, AZ; Douglas Van Hofwegen (Julie) of Spencer, IA; 8 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren; sister-in-law, Arlynn Gittins of Harlan, IA. She was preceded in death by her parents; brother, James Gittins, Sioux City; and brother, Larry Gittins, Harlan, IA.

If you wish to send a memorial, please donate to (and pray for)

Luke Society, 3409 S. Gateway Blvd., Sioux Falls, SD 57106