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Ruth’s Story

Ruth K. (Schmalz) VanLuven, 84, died Dec 31, 2019, at Palm Garden of Orlando, after a long battle with Alzheimer's. Though the disease took her life, her almost 85 years on this earth were filled with love and purpose.

She was born Jan 7, 1935, in Rockford, IL, the daughter of George and Fannie Schmalz. Ruth graduated from North Central Bible Institute in 1955 and from Swedish American Hospital School of Nursing in 1958.

She married Truman Daniel "Dan" VanLuven in Rockford, IL on Nov 22, 1958. Then they moved to South Saint Paul, MN where Dan was a youth pastor. Ruth earned a bachelor of science in nursing education from the University of Minnesota in 1961. In 1962, they moved to Rutland, VT.

Mrs. VanLuven taught nursing at Castleton State College before dedicating her life to being a full time mother and pastor's wife. She mentored young wives and mothers and counseled countless other women. Ruth dedicated her life to spreading Christ's love to others by her example of unconditional love. Known for her hospitality (especially her pot roast meals) despite the fact she claimed she did not like to cook. She had an amazing green thumb, counting them before leaving to go on vacation so the person coming in to water them wouldn't miss a plant.

Ruth was a member of Roadside Chapel Assembly of God church for 42 years where her husband pastored before relocating to Orlando, FL in 2005 and becoming a member of Faith Assembly.

She would tell us made up stories of adventure with her soft, but story-telling voice. She had a fun playroom filled with games like Chinese Checkers and Dominoes, a Rubik's cube, Barrel o Monkey's, GI Joe's, a life-like miniature kitchen set with all the utensils. She once talked to her grandkid's pet Shih-tzu's tail mistaking it for his head and giggled at herself. She had a basement closet that smelled of mothballs and must, and it was heavenly.  She set her Sunday dinner table with her best dishes and plastic over her table cloth.  She walked her out of town grandkids to the church she pastored next door and picked blackberries along the way.  She let them roll in the soft green mossy Vermont grass and build forts in her backyard.  She sat on the floor and played and read Dr. Seuss' "Hop on Pop."  She had a stack of scrap paper she had torn into quarters herself setting next to her telephone to take a message. She had the most beautiful cursive handwriting and in every card she signed with a bible verse.  

She was soft spoken, gentle hearted, giving, and kind. And then she was diagnosed with Alzheimer's and Dementia.

At first, she became forgetful and confused. As the disease progressed, she frightened if she saw her reflection in the mirror.  She didn't recognize that elderly woman she saw.  She lost the ability to write or drive. She lost the ability to dress herself or use the bathroom on her own.  She lost the ability to feed herself or walk without assistance. She didn't recognize her family members, ever. So they called her Ms. Ruth, instead of "mom" or "Grandma." She had to be monitored and cared for 24 hours a day.  She became an agitated, disgruntled shell of a woman in a constant state of disorientation and bewilderment.  Her soul, her personality, seemed gone.

The disease is disgusting.  It takes a persons spirit.  Mind. Independence. Understanding. Memories. Recognition. Pride.

In remembrance of Ruth and in an effort to bring further awareness and support to Alzheimer's and the search for a cure, please make any contributions to The Alzheimer's Association in memory of Ruth VanLuven.