Ruby Vander Stoep, 88, 80-resident of Oak Harbor, died at Home Place of Oak Harbor Sunday, May 25, 2003.

Mrs. Vander Stoep was born in Clover Valley June 27, 1914, to Henry Koetje and Alice (Rallink) Koetje. She was raised in Clover Valley and attended school here. On April 3, 1939, she married Lambert Vander Stoep. Ruby lived in Tacoma from 1938 through 1945, working as a Rosie the Riveter during World War II. At the end of the war, she and Lambert returned to Oak Harbor and resided here ever since. Ruby was a longtime member of First Reformed Church, where she had been active in Women’s Ministries. She was an excellent cook, and enjoyed gardening. Ruby also enjoyed arts and crafts, having taken up painting at the age of 63. She was a very devoted wife, mother and grandmother.

Ruby is survived by her husband Lambert; her two daughters, Lynnette Wright and husband Mike and Alicia Turner and husband Tom, all of Oak Harbor; by four grandchildren, Larisa Reavis and husband Jason of Tacoma, Bryce Turner and Cora and Thomas J. Wright, all of Oak Harbor; three great-grandchildren, Stefany Mills of Coupeville and Dakota and Justin Mills of Tacoma; also, numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by nine brothers and six sisters.

Visitation will be Thursday, May 29, 2003, from 5 to 8 p.m. and Friday, May 30, from 9 a.m. until noon at Burley Funeral Chapel. A graveside service will be Friday, May 30, at 1 p.m. at Fircrest Cemetery, followed by a memorial service at 2 p.m. at First Reformed Church, Pastor Tad Southard officiating. Memorials may be made to Oak Harbor Christian School. Arrangements under direction of Burley Funeral Chapel.