Ruth Leone VanBerkum-Hansen

Ruth L. (Dykstra) Van Berkum Hansen, 85, the daughter of Ben and Mabelle Dykstra, was born in Hull, IA. She was baptized as an infant in the 1st Reformed Church of Hull, IA and confessed her faith there in 1956.

Ruth married Wilmer T. Van Berkum at the Little Brown Church in Nashua, IA in 1958. They were blessed with 4 children and lived in several communities until moving from Sioux Falls, SD to Spencer, IA in 1963. Wilmer passed away October 1991 after a long battle with heart disease. After being widowed Ruth especially enjoyed being a part of several mission trips.

Ruth later married Allan P. Hansen in Spencer, IA. They were blessed to be able to travel and celebrated many years together. Allan passed away in November 2024.

She was a long-time member of Hope Reformed Church in Spencer, IA where she enjoyed serving on various committees and being part of the Women of Hope Organization serving the needs of the congregation. She participated in several Bible Studies and valued her Prayer Group of over 40 years.

Ruth was a member of the Zola Anderson Questor group and held an interest in history and antiques. She loved doing crafts with her grandchildren, flower gardening, reading historical fiction, collecting rocks and reading through the Bible every year. Volunteering at Many Hands Market was an opportunity giving meaning to her later life.

Surviving Ruth are her four children, Paul Van Berkum, Spencer, IA, Dan Van Berkum and special friend Jane Campbell, Spencer, IA, Beth (Dan) Van Hove, Worthington, MN and Dawn (Ivan) Crane, Spencer, IA; brother Mark Dykstra, grandchildren Ben, Leigh (Scott), Sarah, Sam (Taylor), Tyler (Kristin), Will, and Andrew and 3 great grandchildren Emma, Bennett and Max. Her survivors also include two stepchildren, Todd (Lori) Hansen, Lake Lillian, MN and Trisha (Chad) Severson, Minnetonka, MN, 4 step grandchildren, and sister-in-law Arliss Becker, Morgan, MN.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Ben and Mabelle Dykstra, mother-in-law Minnie Van Berkum, husbands Wilmer and Allan, daughter-in-law Kris Van Berkum, and sister and brother-in-law, Thelma and Milton Sandbulte.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Samaritan's Purse.