Being an able secretary and typist, Ruth soon found herself working in that capacity and thus came into contact with John Van Bergen.  The two quickly fell in love and were married soon after John's discharge.  The marriage took place in Highland Park on September 9th, 1919 and was presided over by the noted Reverend William E. Barton of Oak Park.  The love of John and Ruth was deep and everlasting; the two were inseparable until John's death in 1969.

          They immediately decided to build a new home in Highland Park where John would continue his career and they would raise a family together.  Van Bergen felt that Oak Park was pretty much built up, and there were too many architects there competing for what little work remained.  Highland Park, however, was still wide open and had a natural and geological beauty that was inspiring to him.  The new house at 234 Cedar would have a studio for John and would have plenty of land to go with it.  It was to be a good place to raise children.  John and Ruth were already expecting the birth of their first child and in June 1920, their daughter, Nancy was born.

           The 1920's were again a busy time as dozens of clients eagerly paraded in and out of Van Bergen's studio.  In 1926, the Van Bergen's second daughter, Joan was born. 

Photo taken about 1930 in front of the Van Bergen home on Cedar.  The two young girls are Joan (left) and Nancy (right).  The adults, left to right; John's sister Jessie, his mother Ella, Ruth and John.  (The photographer is Jessie's husband, Herbert Small.)
Photo courtesy of Nancy V.B. Brigham