Rev. Ken and Ruth (Frens) Westrate will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary on June 9, 2011. The couple was joined in matrimony on June 9, 1961, at 16th Street Christian Reformed Church in Holland, Mich.
The Westrates’ parents are Gare and Alberta Westrate and Ben and Gertrude Frens. The couple’s children are Keith and Val Westrate of Connecticut, Eric and Amy Westrate of Michigan, and Bill and Shela Westrate of Wisconsin. Their grandchildren are Crystal and Gabrielle of Connecticut, Emma and Abby of Michigan, and Ellie and Grace of Wisconsin.
The Westrates celebrated with a family vacation to Disney in November 2010, and will be taking a trip to Cap Cod in June 2011.
Rev. Ken served five R.C.A. congregations in Sheldon, Iowa, Lennox, S.D., Maurice, Iowa, Wyoming, Mich., and Gary, Ind. He retired in October 2008, and he and Ruth moved to Rockford.
Ruth graduated from Blodgett School of Nursing and was employed by Holland, Blodgett, Bronson, Pine Rest, U of M Hospital, and Sioux County Health Department Center in South Dakota. She also was a volunteer counselor at Crisis Pregnancy Center in South Dakota. She has served in churches in various ministries.
Rev. Ken is presently involved with Rockford Reformed Church, and he and Ruth are enjoying their beautiful home and town.
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