Jean Lydia DeRuyter, 81, of Cedar Grove, passed away on Friday, October 26, 2018, at Sharon
S. Richardson Community Hospice in Sheboygan Falls.
Jean was born on May 11, 1937, in Cedar Grove, to Walter and Zina (Huibregtse) DeRuyter.
Jean was a 1955 graduate of Cedar Grove High School, after high school she attended
Sheboygan County Normal School and then furthered her education graduating with a Bachelor's
Degree in Education from UW-Oshkosh and a Master’s Degree in Education from UW-
Milwaukee. Jean devoted her life teaching young people for 39 years. She taught at three
country schools and then taught 4th and 5h grade with the Cedar Grove-Belgium School District.
In addition to teaching, she was an avid reader. Jean often checked the bookrack at the grocery
store before picking up food. Her bible is falling apart because of daily use.
Jean was a member of First Reformed Church in Cedar Grove, where she taught Sunday School
and Vacation Bible School. Jean helped on the family farm. The early years that meant driving
horses but that soon changed to driving tractors. There was always a big garden to tend and she
mowed lawn and tended to the flowers. The garden produce was used to prepare meals for
family and friends. Even with a plentiful supply of recipes she always looked for another
cookbook. Then would have a supply of cookies for visitors as gifts.
Jean’s hobbies included crocheting afghans, doing cross stitch and photography. The
photographs were of her surroundings. She enjoyed the farm animals, especially dogs and cats
but also the trees. She had no desire to travel because she saw the beauty of nature all around her.
Jean is survived by her sister, Marion DeRuyter. She is further survived by numerous other
relatives and friends.
Jean was preceded in death by her parents and grandparents.
A funeral service to celebrate Jean's life will be held on Wednesday, October 31, 2018, at 11am,
at the First Reformed Church in Cedar Grove, with Rev. Chris Schaefer officiating. A burial will
take place at Cedar Grove Cemetery.
Relatives and friends may greet the family at the Wenig Funeral Home in Oostburg on Tuesday,
October 30, 2018, from 5-7pm and again on Wednesday, at the CHURCH from 10am until the
time of service at 11am.
A memorial fund is being established in her name for Words of Hope or a charity of your choice.
The family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the doctors and nurses at Columbia St.
Mary's Hospital Ozaukee and the staff of Sharon S. Richardson Community Hospice for all the
care and compassion they gave to Jean.
For online condolences and additional information please visit www.wenigfh.com.
The Wenig Funeral Home of Oostburg (920-564-2771) is serving the DeRuyter family with
arrangements.
