Ruth C. Dubbelde

Ruth Sinks Dubbelde, of Escanaba, passed away on January 4, 2020 on the morning of her 95th birthday. Ruth was born on a farm on the banks of the Mississippi River in Cache, Illinois to Gussie Lelle (Davis) and William Arthur Sinks. She graduated from Cairo High School and the University of Illinois, earning a business degree in Commerce and Marketing. While at the University, she met Hank Dubbelde in a business class and lent him one of her books. That was the beginning of their love story.

After graduation, they married and moved to Dearborn, Michigan. Ruth worked in management at J.L. Hudsons in Detroit where she developed her wonderful sense of fashion, especially her love of high heels. After her two daughters were born, she volunteered at her eldest daughter’s first grade class and fell in love with teaching. Ruth went back to college and earned her elementary education degree at Wayne State University and began her next chapter teaching 1st grade in the Dearborn Heights School District. When Hank took a job in Escanaba in 1967, she spent the rest of her career teaching 1st graders at Lemmer Elementary School. Ruth’s life’s joy was sharing her love of reading to all children. She also shared that legacy with her daughters, Denise & Mary Beth. If you too enjoy reading, thank your first grade teacher!

After retirement, Ruth and Hank spent their winters in Arizona enjoying their Oakbrook friends. Their summers were spent in Escanaba enjoying the Escanaba Country Club community, a very active social life, and spending time with their grandchildren.

After Hank passed away, Ruth continued to enjoy her next chapter. While in Arizona, she enjoyed the shopping mecca of a large city, cultural events, and hosting many wine parties on her patio. When returning home, there were many family events to keep her busy. She was fortunate to not only welcome her three great-granddaughters into the world but be part of their lives. She had some physical challenges toward the end of her life but had a warrior mentality and overcame them to enjoy life to the fullest. She remained one very classy lady to the end.

Ruth attended and served at First Presbyterian Church, was a member of PEO Chapter Z, loved going to lunch with her Lemmer Buddies, and making friends wherever she went. Her daughters will be ever indebted to her Northwoods Place Family who took such loving care for her over the last few years. 

She will be missed by her family; daughters, Denise Young (Chris), and Mary Beth Roselli (Andy); grandchildren, Allan Young (Sammi), Darren Young (Erica), and Leanne Cockrell (Jimson); and great-granddaughters, Corrine & Marcy Cockrell and Evelyn Young.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 62 years; her brothers, William (Maxine), and Robert (Phyllis) Sinks.

Memorial services are being planned for a later date. Inurnment will take place in Holy Cross Cemetery. Memorials may be directed to The Salvation Army or St. Judes Children’s Hospital.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Ruth C. Dubbelde, please visit our floral store.