Eileen Joyce De Ruiter Holmes was born July 5, 1940, the second child to Reuben and Florence (De Haan) Thomassen in Oskaloosa, Iowa.

Growing up on a farm near Leighton, Iowa, Eileen would share stories of her many antics, like riding cows instead of horses. She attended a country school where she had fond memories of playing well-organized games in the school yard with kids of all ages. At the age of 13, the family "moved to town" (Leighton) where her parents opened the Thomassen General Store. She attended Pella High School in the building that is now the Pella Community Center and graduated in 1958.

While walking home from church in Leighton one evening, a young gentleman from northwest Iowa was "cruising" through town and stopped to talk. Eileen married James De Ruiter on April 3, 1961, when they were both 20 years of age. A sign of the times, Jim, not yet 21, needed his mother's permission while Eileen, being over 18, did not. To this union three children were born: Carla, Edwin, and Sandra. They resided in Pella and were members of Trinity Reformed Church. Eileen had been working at a grocery store and Jaarsma Bakery until Jim needed her help in running the business they had purchased in Pella. Together they ran a bulk truck and the De Ruiter DX gas station. Soon they expanded the business to include small engine repair, moved several times, and in 1971, purchased the property where De Ruiter Deep Rock, later renamed De Ruiter Lawn Equipment, has been ever since. Eileen worked side by side with Jim, handling much of the daily operations, which included bookkeeping, suppliers, inventory, and multiple customers who insisted they needed to talk to Jim, who in turn would ask Eileen for the answers. Jim and Eileen were very active, working long hours, square-dancing faithfully in a local square-dance club, playing Pinochle with friends, and attending as much of their children's activities as possible. When their children were grown, they joined a bowling league (never saw that coming) and looked forward to retiring to travel and spend more time at their grandchildren's activities. Having been in business for over 40 years, Jim and Eileen sold De Ruiter Lawn Equipment on May 1, 2001, and planned to help the new ownership in the transition. However, Jim passed away unexpectedly on May 11, 2001, ending their retirement plans. Eileen continued working at De Ruiter Lawn Equipment until her retirement in 2005.

On July 3, 2004, Eileen married Stephen Holmes and together they attended grandchildren's activities and traveled. In 2009, Eileen was diagnosed with breast cancer. Though metastasized, treatments kept the cancer from spreading for many years. She continued to be active. A highlight for Eileen was a trip to Alaska with Steve, and a trip to England and Wales with her daughter Carla and her granddaughter Melissa to see her granddaughter Olivia who was studying abroad. On July 30, 2019, after 15 years of marriage, Steve passed away.

Eileen loved volunteering. Over the years, she was involved in Trinity Reformed Church's children's ministries, helped during Tulip Time, and was involved in many other church activities. She also held positions on the Board of Directors at Garden Chapel Funeral Home and at Christian Opportunity Center. She loved the time spent volunteering at The Well Thrift Store, and later at The Well Resource Center, continuing to find purpose in helping others.

As her quality of life diminished, Eileen discontinued cancer treatment in May of 2024. She entered The Comfort House of Pella on Tuesday, November 12, 2024, receiving hospice care until she passed away peacefully with her children present.

Eileen's Children:

Carla and Bruce Schouten of Pella

Olivia Schouten

Brett and Makenzie Schouten

Cade

Leah Schouten

David Schouten

Edwin and Cami De Ruiter of Cedar Rapids

Melissa and Dustin Carlson

Mae, Edith

Drew and Laura De Ruiter

Avery, Emma

Sandy and Rob Blom of Pella

Morgan and Brandon Estabrook

Cooper

Riggen Blom

Caleb and Julia Blom

Eileen's Brother: Larry and Janet Thomassen of Leighton

Trinity Church
Pella IA

The Well
Pella IA
Web: https://thewelliowa.org/donate/

Hospice of Pella - Day of Care
Pella IA