Sam Ruiter was born on July 24, 1926, in Valley Springs, S.D. He married Angeline Dooyema on Nov. 13, 1945, in Edgerton. He drove transport for Dan Dugan in Sioux Falls, S.D., and in Yankton for 36 years. He will be remembered for being awarded the Presidential Medal of Honor on behalf of the President of the United States on Sept. 13, 1985, for his extraordinary act of courage in saving the lives of seven children from an exploding propane storage tank in Santee, Neb. In retirement, Mr. Ruiter enjoyed camping, fishing, enjoying nature, driving bus part-time and daily coffee with his friends.
Survivors include his wife, Angeline Ruiter, Yankton; one son, Larry (Vernette) Ruiter, Springdale, Ark.; one daughter, Sandra (Richard) Schaefer, Eagan; four grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; three sisters; and two brothers.
Mr. Ruiter was preceded in death by his parents, an infant daughter, two sisters and three brothers.
Kostel Funeral Home, Yankton, was in charge of arrangements.
Angeline (Angie) Ruiter passed away February 4, 2024, at the age of 96.
She was born in Leota, MN, on November 4, 1927 to Clarence and Mina (Berghorst)
Dooyema.
She was raised on the family farm, and attended schools in Leota, MN and Edgerton, MN.
In 1945 she married Sam Ruiter, and they made their home in Hills, MN, Sioux Falls,
SD, and Yankton, SD.
They had 3 children; Larry, Sandra, and Janie.
After her husband's passing in 2003, she resided in Sioux Falls, SD, then Rosemount, MN,
and eventually to assisted living back in Sioux Falls, SD.
Angie was a homemaker most of her life, which she always referred to as being a
domestic engineer, and enjoyed caring for her children and home, camping, fishing,
gardening, and feeding the birds and squirrels.
Angie is survived by her son: Larry Ruiter; daughter: Sandra (Richard) Schaefer; sister: Carol (Jim) Null; grandchildren: Amy (Troy) Jahraus, Tony (Angie) Ruiter, Andrea (Tim) Westcott, and Whitney Schaefer; great-grandchildren: Miranda (Lucas) Leitheiser, Jessica Ruiter, Baylee (Mitch) Pinske, Kasen and Kyler Westcott; many nieces and nephews; and a former daughter-in-law: Sue Ruiter. Angie was preceded in death by her infant daughter: Janie; her husband: Sam; daughter-in law: Vernette Ruiter; her parents: Clarence and Mina Dooyema; brother: Dewey Dooyema, and brother John Dooyema.
There will be a family burial service at a later date. Condolences may be sent to Barnett Lewis Funeral Home in Sioux Falls, SD
Long time resident of Leota, Minnesota Dewey Dooyema, age 91, was received in the
arms of the Lord on Sunday June 20, 2021 while residing at the Good Samaritan Society
Mary Jane Brown Home.in Luverne, Minnesota.
Born to Clarence & Mina (Berghorst) Dooyema on April 9, 1930 near Leota, Minnesota on
the Family Farm.
He attended Country School in Leota and graduated from Edgerton, Minnesota High School.
Dewey was United in Marriage to Doris Sundem on August 9, 1953 at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Hills, MN. Following their marriage, they moved to Fort Lewis, WA while Dewey proudly served in the United States Army. Following his service they moved to the Family Farm near Leota, MN. This is where they made their "home" and resided happily for sixty years. Their marriage was blessed with four children; Diane, Douglas, David, and Denise.
Dewey took pride and was involved in his community. He dedicated his God given talents and served faithfully on the Edgerton Public High School School Board, Luverne/Kenneth Elevator Board, and the Production Credit Association Board. He also sold Dekalb Seed Corn in the area for years. He was also actively involved with the Kenneth Lutheran Church in Kenneth until its closing.
Dewey will be lovingly remembered by his 3 children and their Spouses, Diane (Dan) Staeffler, Rapid City Doug (Pam) Dooyema, Luverne and Denise (Ben) Padilla. Houston, Texas; 14 grandchildren Dustin (Brooke) Staeffler, Danielle (Zach) Gimpel, Andrew Dooyema, Katie (Jordan) Kopp, Amanda (Brad) Bullerman, Kelsey. (Jake) Hendricks, Sam (Jackie) Dooyema, Elijah, Naomi, Jeremiah, & Jedidiah Dooyema, Shantel VanSanten, Jessye (Zac) Kellogg, and Benjamin J-H Padilla. He had 10 great grandchildren Bree Staeffler, Piper, Cash & Oliver Gimpel, Ellianna & Hudson Kopp, Olivia, Micah, Mason, & Hadley Bullerman. His two sisters Angeline Ruiter of Sioux Falls, SD, and Carol (Jim) Null of Farmington, MN.
He was preceded in death by his wife Doris Evon (Sundem) his parents, son David, his brother John Dooyema, granddaughters Beatrice Padilla,and Hannah Dooyema.
In lieu of flowers the Family is asking you to donate Team Double D of the American Lung Association.
DORIS EVON HENRIETTA DOOYEMA, age 79, of Leota, died Thursday, March 27, 2014, at
the Sanford Hospice Cottage in Luverne.
She was born to Henry and Elise Sundem on August 3, 1934 by Beaver Creek, MN.
She graduated from Hills High School in 1952.
She attended Sioux Falls College .
She taught in Sioux Falls and Crooks, SD.
Doris was united in marriage to Dewey Dooyema on August 9, 1953 at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Hills, MN. Following their marriage, they moved to Fort Lewis, Washington while Dewey was in the service. After Dewey returned from service they moved to a farm near Leota,,MN and this is where they made their "home" and have resided for the past sixty years. Their marriage was blessed with four children; Diane, Douglas, David, and Denise. Doris was a member of the Kenneth Lutheran church where she faithfully served and dedicated many of her talents. Doris enjoyed participating each year in the annual hospice charity dinner and was known for her creative talents decorating the "tour of tables" with her friends. Doris was always quick to make sure everyone within her home had exactly what they needed. The devotion she gave was never ending. Dewey and Doris traveled many miles through many states to support their grandchildren in their high school and collegiate activities.
Doris will be lovingly remembered by her husband of 60 years, Dewey; her 3 children, 14 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren. Her daughter Diane Staeffler and her husband Dan of Rapid City, SD children, Dustin (Brooke) Staeffler, w/ Bree(6); Danielle (Zach) Gimpel, w/ Piper(5) Cash(2) son Douglas Dooyema and his wife Pam of Luverne, MN and children, Andrew, Samuel, Elijah, Naomi, Jeremiah, Jedidiah Dooyema; Katie (Jordan) Kopp; Amanda (Brad) Bullerman w/Olivia(5) Micah(3) Mason(5 months); Kelsey (Jake) Hendricks and daughter Denise Padilla, and her husband Ben of Spring, TX; children, Shantel ,Jessye, Benjamin. Her 3 brothers Harlowe (LaVane) Sundem of Brandon, SD, Richard (Carol) Sundem of Sioux Falls, SD, and Orval (Bonnie) Sundem of Hills, MN and sister Mary Steenstra of Holland, MN.
She was preceded in death by her parents, son David (1972), granddaughter Beatrice, and brother-in-laws Floyd Steenstra, Sam Ruiter, and John Henry Dooyema.
Visitation will be from 2-4pm Sunday at the Dingmann Funeral Home in Luverne; and also one hour prior to the service at the church on Monday. Funeral will be 10:30am Monday at the Bethel Reformed Church, in Leota, officiated by Rev. Kerry Boese. Burial will be in the Leota Community Cemetery.
Eve Assid-Dooyema, age 82, passed away on Saturday, August 7, 2021 at Sanford Hospital
in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
A visitation will be held from 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm on Tuesday, August 17 at Miller Funeral
Home - Southside Chapel, 7400 S Minnesota Ave, Sioux Falls.
A memorial service will be held at 1:00 pm on Wednesday, August 18, 2021 at Our
Savior's Lutheran Church, 909 W 33rd St, Sioux Falls, SD.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made in Eve's name to Life Scape or to Our
Savior's Lutheran Church.
Our Savior's Lutheran Church is currently practicing masking and thanks you for
cooperating.
"A grandmother is a remarkable woman. A wonderful combination of warmth and kindness, laughter and love" - Unknown
"No truer words could ever be written ... I would say for sure that they were written about my Sitto ( Grandma in Lebanese).
She always made the grandkids breakfast when we had sleepovers, never turned down the chance to take us on a bike ride along the bike trails as kids, hunted earthworms with the best of them, shrieked at the sight of a snake, cussed at the bunnies and deer for eating her garden, and loved to be around family and celebrate the holidays. Her favorite probably had to be Christmas, because she could wear her Christmas "Eve" sweater with pride as if the day was named just for her.
As beautiful as she was, she still never wanted to be caught without her hair done and a little makeup on. She would sing and dance like nobody was watching. She tended to her gardens and flower beds as if Better Homes and Gardens was coming to snap photos at any minute. And man alive '... could that woman cook!
The day Eve left this earth - three children lost their mother, my cousins and I lost our Sitto, and our children lost their Great Sitto.
Sitto, you are so very loved. I know without a doubt you've been greeted with many hugs already. I am so thankful the world was graced with your presence for these 82 years. Love you so very much - your Sami girl."
Eve was born on November 11, 1938 to Zine and Elsie (Jaweed) Assid in Sioux Falls. Eve graduated from Washington High School and married John Henry Dooyema in 1956. Together they had three children - Randy, Darcey and Michael. She worked at CCHS, for 36 years, where she worked her way up from a classroom aid to an assistant classroom teacher. Then, she was promoted to the volunteer coordinator position before retiring in 2002. Eve loved her work, but she also loved sharing herself and her time with others, no matter what the occasion. She was a shark, liked to play all sorts of card games - bridge, mahjong - and could beat your fanny at most of them. This little spitfire also loved to hunt, fish, snowmobile, water ski, crochet and, of course, change her phone greeting, with a poem for every season. She had a ball riding in convertibles, on motorcycles, and TRAVELING - the woman loved to travel!. Being so warm and hospitable, Eve "kicked it" as a greeter at church and loved Pastor Tim! Eve loved life and it showed.
Grateful to have share Eve's life with her are her heart and soul, Her children, Randy (Melissa Flynn) Dooyema, Darcey (Craig Hinker) McConnell, and Michael (Clara) Dooyema; her beautiful grandchildren, Samantha, Cory (Laura). John (Ashlee), Alexandra, Blake, Alex and Meleah; and her precious great grandchildren Daymon (Gray), Zander, Blayze, Cellek, Jaxen, Ellis and Otto.
Eve was preceded in death by her parents, Zine and Elsie Assid; her brothers, Camille "Kamel", Alick, James, Adam and Abraham; her sisters, Kadisha Miller, Mary Ogdie, Minnie Banks, and Laura Assid Hiscox; and her grandson Nicholas Dooyema.