Age 80, passed away Saturday morning, September 2, 2023. Ruth was born in Kalamazoo on June 21, 1943, the daughter of Henry and Lillian May (Burrows) Ritsema. On October 18, 1985, she married Raymond Edward Welch who preceded her in death on July 16, 2015. Ruth loved to crochet. She liked going for rides in the car. As a family they enjoyed camping together. She loved her family more than anything else and she loved being with her children and grandchildren. Ruth is survived by her daughters, Louann (Mark) Dresen and Ellen Reading; seven grandchildren; many great-grandchildren; brother, Lester (Chris) Ritsema; nieces and nephews; and many friends. Besides her husband, Ruth was preceded in death by her parents; a daughter, Victoria Lynn Wesenberg; brother, Robert Ritsema; sisters, Lillian Taylor and Phyllis Hudson.