Juliet Ras, 98

Juliet Ras, 98, Alexandria, died Monday, April 23, 2012.

Juliet was born April 8, 1914 in Rock Valley, Iowa, the daughter of Herman and Annette (Hoekstra) Van Otterloo. Juliet began school in Rock Valley. Later her family moved to Hancock, where she graduated from high school. Juliet knew the value of education and continued her schooling in the Twin Cities, where she attended beauty school She also attended normal school in Benson. Juliet returned to Hancock, where she taught at a country school.

On November 3, 1937 Juliet was united in marriage to Lawrence Ras. The couple made their home in Raymond for four years where Juliet operated the LaRas Beauty Shop on Main Street in Raymond.

During World War II, the Ras family moved to Downy, California where Lawrence helped build Liberty ships and Juliet cared for her family. When the war ended, the Ras family returned to Minnesota and made their home in Hancock. Juliet opened a new beauty shop and operated that until 1966.

In 1966 Juliet and Lawrence moved to Jenison, Michigan to be close to family. Juliet worked as a bookkeeper for the Singer Company and later as a clerk for a produce company. She retired in the late 1970s. In the mid 1980s, Juliet and Lawrence moved to Glenwood for one year and then to Alexandria, to be closer to their children. Following Lawrence’s death in 1997, Juliet remained as a resident in Alexandria.

Juliet was a woman of strong faith. She was a member of the Christian Reformed Church and remained faithful to her church upbringing, even teaching Sunday School. Juliet appreciated her heritage and was proud of it.

Juliet enjoyed her sewing club, flower gardening and feeding the birds. She served her community as a member and president of the PTA and the Band Mothers club. Music was important to Juliet and she pressed all of her children into piano lessons. In turn, her children learned to appreciate music and have all become talented musicians and vocalists.

Hospitality was Juliet’s mission in life and her ministry was practiced primarily through cooking. Visitors to her home were always made welcome and no one ever left her home hungry. She always set a complete table with all of the fixings. Juliet and Lawrence even spent a few summers working at camps in Canada where she served as the camp cook. Juliet loved providing hospitality.

Aside from her faith, the most important thing in Juliet’s life was her family. Often Lawrence’s job would take him away from his family and Juliet was left to raise her children on her own. She excelled at raising her children and instilling in them the importance of faith and education. She was very proud of all her children. After Lawrence was injured in a farming accident, she spent much of her time caring for him. Juliet was a good mother and wife. She loved her family.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Lawrence; three brothers, John, Tony and Lawrence Van Otterloo; sister, Jeanette Ekema; son-in-law, Don Ringnalda; and daughter-in-law, Trudy Ras.

Juliet is survived by her children, LeRoy Ras and wife, Fran, of Alexandria, Ardith Den Besten and husband, Calvin, of Lake Wales, FL, Jonelle Ringnalda of St. Paul, Elna Smith and husband, Gary, of Hancock, Allen Ras and wife, Kardy, of Alexandria and Larry Ras and wife, Gaylene, of Jenison, MI; 17 grandchildren, 25 great grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

A funeral service will be held Saturday, April 28 at 11 a.m. at Grace Church in Alexandria. The Rev. Craig Dahl will officiate. Ruth Peterson and the Ras Family will provide special music. Interment will follow at Kinkead Cemetery in Alexandria.

Visitation will be one hour prior to the service on Saturday at the church.

Arrangements are with Anderson Funeral Home in Alexandria; www.andersonfuneral.net.

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