Ruth, or "Ruthie," as so fondly called by her caregivers, was born January 10, 1935, to Willis Raymond Cottom and Alice Grace Gardner Cottom in Barryton, Michigan. It was a very cold and snowy day. Her father was in Lansing working and had to hitchhike to Barryton during the storm as told by Ruth in her memories.
She was the loving wife of Norval Darl Holland for 58 years and the mother to seven children: Kaylynn (Mike) Holman, Robert (Pam) Cottom, Debra Riley, Pat (Tom) Dunn, Janine Zimmerman, Gary (Linda Boley) Holland, and Jeff (Joanne) Holland. Her beautiful children made her the proud grandmother of 38 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren, whom she loved dearly. She also leaves behind her sisters-in-law, Connie Holland, Brenda Holland, Jackie Taylor, and Sherry Cottom Meador.
She enjoyed going to church at First Baptist Church of Brookville, Indiana, where she had been a member for 12 years. She was gifted in singing, knitting, sewing, and making quilts. She often said she could not wait to get to heaven to continue to sing in the heavenly choir.
Ruth was preceded in death by her parents; her beloved husband, Norval D. Holland; her daughters, Debra Riley and Janine Zimmerman; her brother, Raymond Gardner Cottom; and her first husband, John P. Hackett.
A funeral service for Ruth will be held on Thursday, November 12, 2026, at 11:00 AM, with a one-hour prior visitation from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM, at Gorsline Runciman Lansing Chapel, 900 E Michigan Ave., Lansing, MI 48912, Pastor Mike Holman and Pastor Jake Howard officiating. Following the service, Ruth will be laid to rest in Deepdale Memorial Gardens, 4108 Old Lansing Rd., Lansing, MI 48917.
Honored to serve as pallbearers are Michael Holman Jr., Tim Holman, Darren McGuire, Charles Riley, Gary Holland, Jeremy Holland, Joshua VanWormer, Connor Holland, and Jordan Holland.
Memorial contributions in Ruth's memory may be made to First Baptist Church, 530 Market St., Brookville, IN 47012.
