Mary Ruth Allen passed away peacefully at home Sunday, March 23, 2025, surrounded by family.
Marion Ruth (Mary Ruth) Allen was born on March 26, 1936, and raised in Grand Rapids, Michigan. She was the youngest child of Gerrit and Wilhelmina Sikkema. She had three brothers and two sisters. She graduated from Grand Rapids Christian schools. After graduation she worked for Mutual of New York Insurance for five years.
She married Gerald “Gary” Allen on December 18, 1958. Gary and Mary had four children, Lori, Judi, Lary, and Gary. Gerald “Gary” passed away in 1992, leaving her a widow for 33 years at a young age. When her children were in school she did volunteer work, working at Holland Hospital, Holland Christian schools and being a parent aide through Higher Horizons. She was also very involved with the Bible League of Illinois, serving as President and Vice President and on the executive board.
She loved to travel, and she went on multiple trips through the Bible League, going to Myanmar (Burma), China, East Africa, Bulgaria, Romania, Hungary and Egypt. In several countries she helped smuggle Bibles and religious materials into the country. She also loved to travel with friends and family, going to the French Riviera, Paris and Hawaii.
She was a charter member of Covenant Presbyterian church, participating in the choir and the mission board, as mission work was close to her heart. She loved her church very much and was a driving force in organizing a widow’s group that met together for lunch and other activities.
Family was important to her, and she loved them all very much, children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, and two great grandchildren on the way. Family spent most holidays together, and everyone loved spending time together on Grandma’s beach. She was grateful to have her children and grandchildren living close to her.
She is survived by her children Lori Stump (Jeff), Judi VanderBie (Jim), Lary, and Gary (Teresa), grandchildren Holly Smith (Dave), Alex VanderBie (Kristin), Hunter Allen (Dakota), Colten Allen (Kerri), Savannah Visser (Andrew) and Ben Stump (Julianna), and great grandchildren Layla and Holden, along with two great grandchildren coming in May and July. She is also survived by her sister, Esther Dykstra.
We love you, mom, we know where you are, and we rest assured in Christ’s promise. Death does not have the final say. Soli Deo Gloria.
Funeral services will be 1 pm Friday (March 28) at Covenant Presbyterian Church (1015 East 32nd Street). Burial will be in Lakewood Cemetery. Visitation will be 6-8 pm Thursday at the church.
Memorial contributions may be made to Covenant Presbyterian Church or Bible League International.
Arrangements are by the Dykstra Funeral Home-Northwood Chapel.
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