Ruben Harold Kruschke

Obituary

Ruben Harold Kruschke was born on December 12, 1927, in Lester Prairie, Minnesota. He was the son of Theodore and Magdeline (Lunow) Kruschke.  Ruben was baptized into Christ on December 26, 1927, at his home and was later confirmed in the Christian faith on April 6, 1941, at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Lester Prairie, Minnesota.  He received his education in Lester Prairie, Minnesota, and graduated from Lester Prairie High School in 1945.  During his time in high school, he was on the basketball and baseball teams and continued playing baseball for the Lester Prairie town team.

On June 5, 1949, Ruben was united in marriage to Evelyn Michaletz and they moved to the farm outside Lester Prairie. Their marriage was blessed with three children, Diane, Wendy and Julie.  Ruben and Evelyn shared over 27 years of marriage, until Evelyn passed away on June 10, 1976.  On February 3, 1978, Ruben was united in marriage to Ruth Schmidt and they continued to live on the farm until they moved to Glencoe in 2000 when Ruben retired from farming.

He was a lifelong member of St. Peter’s Lutheran Church. He sang in the choir, served as an elder for 8 years and also chairman for 2 years.  Ruben was also a member of the Lester Prairie School Board for 9 years and Bergen Township election judge for many years. 

Ruben loved his work and farming was his life. He loved the animals, especially his dogs.  When Ruben moved to the farm, the house was part log and had no indoor plumbing.  During his years on the farm, he added many buildings, including a new house that totally transformed the site.  Ruben enjoyed his farm work, especially working with his brother, Ardin, and father, Ted.  He also enjoyed fishing, on water and ice, especially with his nephew, Randy.  He loved sports, especially baseball, and was happy that things were looking better for the Twins in the upcoming season.  Ruben cherished the time spent with his family and friends. 

Ruben passed away peacefully on Tuesday, February 2, 2016, at Abbott Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis, Minnesota, at the age of 88 years, 1 month and 21 days.

Blessed be his memory.

Ruben is survived by his:
Wife, Ruth Kruschke of Glencoe, MN;
Daughters, Diane Rifkin and her husband, Tom, of Bloomington, MN,
Julie Schweitzer and her husband, Mark, of Tucson, AZ;
Grandchildren, Kali Schweitzer, Adam Schweitzer;
Ruth’s Children, Diane Scharmer and her husband, Jerry, of Buffalo Lake, MN,
Terry Schmidt and his wife, Jane, of Pine River, MN;
Ruth’s Grandchildren, Kari Runke and special friend, Rob Mundt, Stephanie Scharmer and special friend, James Nelson, Phillip Scharmer and wife, Linette , Anjela Ayllon and husband, Michael, Riana Barry and husband, Sean;
Ruth’s 12 Great Grandchildren and 3 Great-Great Grandchildren;
Sisters-In-Law, Bernice Kruschke of Hutchinson, MN,
Marlene Nelson and her husband, Ray, of Litchfield, MN;
Brother-In-Law, Len Dunaski of Roseville, MN;
Nieces, Nephews, Other relatives and many friends.

Ruben is preceded in death by his Parents, Theodore and Magdeline Kruschke; First Wife, Evelyn Kruschke; Daughter, Wendy Kruschke; Brothers, Vernon Kruschke and his wife, Frieda, Orland Kruschke and his wife, Mavis, Ardin Kruschke; Sister, Margaret Rehmann and her husband, Irvin.