Ruth Ann Griffioen Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Ruth Ann Griffioen, of Visalia, CA died on April 8, 2022, at the age of 77. She died peacefully in her sleep after a long struggle with Parkinson's disease. Ruth was born to Clarence and Anna Mulder, on April 23, 1944, in Ireton, IA. She graduated from Western Christian High School in 1962 and received a BA from Dordt College in 1969. She moved to Escondido, California where she was an elementary school teacher. It was there that she met the love of her life, Gerrit Griffioen. They were married in 1971 and began a dairy in the Netherlands, where their children Anneke, Clarinda and Daniel were born. In 1977, they packed up their young family and moved to Dinuba, CA to fulfill Gerrit's lifelong dream of dairying in the United States. They were soon blessed with 2 more sons, Gerrit and Derek. In 1990, Ruth's life was changed forever when her beloved husband was struck by lightning and killed. Ruth was a woman of great faith, and it was this faith that sustained her during the difficult days that followed. She steadfastly continued to raise her children in the Lord and managed the dairies until her sons were old enough to take over. Ruth was faithfully involved in her church, Visalia Christian Reformed Church, and was instrumental in beginning Central Valley Christian School. In 2010, she moved to Sierra Village, where she enjoyed daily coffee times and nightly card games with her many friends. Ruth is survived by her children, Anneke (Johnnie) de Jong of Hanford, Clarinda (Eric) Westra of Tulare, Daniel (Carolyn) Griffioen of Dinuba, Gerrit (Laura) Griffioen of Florence, AZ, and Derek (Rachelle) Griffioen of Kingsburg, as well as 23 grandchildren who filled her life with joy; and her siblings Fred Mulder, Ila Scholten, Don Mulder, Audrey Mars, Lois Bakker, and Linda Mellema. She was preceded in death by her parents, Clarence and Anna Mulder, her brother Ed Mulder and her beloved husband Gerrit Griffioen. A Celebration of Life service will be held on Wednesday, April 20, 2022 at 10:30 am at Visalia Christian Reformed Church, 1030 S. Linwood, Visalia, CA. A private burial, with family and close friends, will be held before at 9:00, at Visalia District Cemetery. Special thanks to Martha Appert, and to the caretakers at Kare Dolls, for their loving care of Ruth these past 8 years. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Gerrit Griffioen Memorial Scholarship Fund at Central Valley Christian School. Services have been entrusted to Salser & Dillard Funeral Chapel. Memorial Tributes and condolences may be offered by logging onto www.salseranddillard.com.

Ruth Ann Griffioen

April 23, 1944 - April 8, 2022