Ruth Elaine O’Keefe

October 1, 1929 ~
January 16, 2026

Ruth Elaine O’Keefe (Bergren), born October 1, 1929,  passed away peacefully on January 16, 2026, with family and loved ones at her bedside. Ruthie was born in Flint, Michigan, and lived most of her life in Wyoming, where she and Tom raised their six children, eventually adding 17 grandchildren, 24 great grandchildren, and 5 great-great grandchildren. Married for nearly 63 years, Tom and Ruth unceasingly loved each other through all the ups and downs of a big family and business ownership. When the opportunity arose, Tom & Ruth enjoyed trips to Las Vegas, Atlantic City and nearby casinos. Much of their time and energy went to creating great memories and adventures with family. Ruthie in particular loved to shop and keep up with all the particulars of her loved ones.  Ruth will be deeply missed by sons Mike O’Keefe (Julie), Mark O’Keefe (Sue), and David O’Keefe (Amanda), son in law Don Mekkes, and all of her grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Thomas O’Keefe and daughters, Stephanie DeVries, Elizabeth Stevens and Shannon Mekkes.  The family would like to express their sincere appreciation to Sharon for the exceptional care she gave to Ruth.  Funeral services will be held 11 am  Tuesday, January 20, 2026  at  Matthysse Kuiper DeGraaf Funeral Home, 4031 Clyde Park Ave SW, Wyoming, with Rev. Dennis Gilbert officiating.  Burial will be held at Resurrection Cemetery.  Relatives and friends may meet the family Tuesday 10-11 am at  Matthysse Kuiper DeGraaf Funeral Home, 4031 Clyde Park Ave SW, Wyoming.

Visitation
Tuesday, January 20
10:00am - 11:00am

MKD - Wyoming
4031 Clyde Park Ave. SW
Wyoming, MI 49509
Get Directions

Phone: (616) 534-5417

Funeral Service
Tuesday, January 20
11:00am

MKD - Wyoming
4031 Clyde Park Ave. SW
Wyoming, MI 49509
Get Directions

Phone: (616) 534-5417

Leave Your Tribute Message

January 18, 2026 8:30pm
To The Family, Please Accept My Heartfelt Condolences. Truly the loss of a precious loved one is most difficult. Please find comfort in the promise our most loving Heavenly Father Jehovah God gives us in Revelation 21:4"And He will wipe out every tear from their eyes and death will be no more; neither will mourning; nor outcry; nor pain be anymore. The former things have passed away." Yes, We can look forward to a time soon to come when all suffering including death will be done away with forever. For more encouraging information from the bible. Please visit jw.org

- C. Anderson

January 17, 2026 5:00pm
Today was the first day in over a year that I didn’t get to see her face or hear her voice as we went through the moments of our day. During this time I was given the opportunity to assist Ruth in her home with a variety of things that were sometimes hard for her to do alone. I know she wasn’t really a fan of my presence at first, but over time we forged a true bond that was instrumental in creating success in our journey together. She may have needed my assistance, but she taught me so many things. Ruth may have been in her 90s, but she was young at heart. She would tell me about her days gambling at casinos and talk about the places she had traveled and what she would do again if she was given the chance. She had style and wit and she even had a tattoo on her ankle that she had gotten on a trip one time. She was not your typical 96 year old lady. I once asked Ruth what it felt like to be 96, and she said…I don’t know, I’ve never been this old before. I am so grateful for the time that I spent with Ruth, it was sometimes trying and days were long, but we never ran out of things to talk about , and Ruth could always find something to keep us busy. I was brought into Ruth’s home to help and assist her, but I truly found that even when things were not always wonderful and easy, they can still be beautiful and filled with love. I will always have a special place in my heart and memories that I will carry of Ruth. One of a kind!

- Sharon Proctor




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