Ruth Marion Schoon

      Ruth Marion Schoon, 102, passed away November 8, 2025, surrounded by her loving family.  Ruth Tieszen Schoon was born to Henry F. and Jeanette Tieszen at Marion, SD on April 29, 1923.  Ruth grew up in Marion and following high school she attended Freeman Junior College in Freeman, SD.  By this time there was a special young man, Henry Schoon, in Ruth’s life.  Ruth transferred to the University of Dubuque, IA where Henry was attending Dubuque Seminary.  Ruth completed two more years of college study in Dubuque and graduated in 1945.  Ruth and Henry were married on August 30, 1945 in Marion, SD. Together Ruth and Henry served five pastorates at Aplington, Iowa, Chancellor, South Dakota, Mitchell, South Dakota, Boyden, Iowa, and Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

     Always actively involved in the life of the church, Ruth taught many classes and Bible Study Circles and gave leadership to the women’s groups.  Ruth served on the Midwest Reformed Church Women’s Synodical Board for three years.  Ruth and her husband Henry organized a senior fellowship group at First Reformed Church in Sioux Falls, and they gave leadership to it for many years.  Ruth also worked at the Sioux Valley Hospital Child Care Center and served as a docent at the Pettigrew Home and Museum in Sioux Falls for 16 years.  Additional retirement activities included co-sponsoring a reminiscing program with Henry at the Center for Active Generations and helping to organize an ecumenical retired clergy group in Sioux Falls.  In her free time Ruth enjoyed writing about events in her childhood as well as experiencing God’s presence during difficult times.

     Ruth’s heart and energy were directed to her church and the lives of her family members.  Several of Ruth’s qualities were seen in her service to each church that she and Henry served.  Ruth used her gift of hospitality to invite church members into her home.  During the Boyden years it was very common for Ruth and Henry to invite members of the congregation to come for cake and coffee after the evening service.  During these visits Ruth showed a genuine interest in her church family.  She wanted to get to know them and the spiritual needs that each person had.  Ruth’s efforts to care for others flowed out of her servant’s heart.  Ruth always put the needs of her family and others ahead of her own needs.  She was humble, thoughtful, and kind as she cared for the many people God placed in her life.  

     Grateful for having shared Ruth’s life are her son Mark Schoon, Minneapolis MN, daughter Sue (Dan) Haggar, Sioux Falls SD, daughters-in-law Eva Schoon, Grand Rapids MI, Ruth Schoon, Wayzata MN, and nine grandchildren including Sara (Leo) Blandford, Wellfleet MA, Erik (Lara), Wellfleet MA, Matthew (Diana) Clarady, Rockvale TN, Jessica (Doug) Powers, Grand Rapids MI, Rebecca (Scott) VanderWerf, Shoreview MN, Rachel Schoon, Minneapolis, MN, Reuben (Ellen) Haggar, Beijing China, Christina (Sean) Conway, Minneapolis MN, Michael (Emily) Haggar, Minot, ND, and 14 great-grandchildren including Sofi, Isak, Evy, Oren, Brookelynn, Liberty, Ivory, Maverick, Truman, Daniel, Sylvia, Ezra, Reggie, and Tahlia.  

     Those gone to heaven before Ruth include her parents, Henry F. and Jeanette Tieszen, her husband Henry, her son David, and Ruth’s siblings Harriet Botelho, Lowell Tieszen, and Dale Tieszen.  It was Ruth’s wish that memorials be directed to First Reformed Church or personal charitable organizations.

     A Visitation will be held, 5-7 PM, Wednesday, November 12, 2025, at Heritage Funeral Home.  A Celebration of Ruth's life will take place, 10:30 AM, Thursday, November 13, 2025 at First Reformed Church.

The service will be livestreamed at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aZaqXfq2fe4