Services for DelRay Ruud,
DelRay Ruud, 65 of Gatzke, MN passed away peacefully on Wednesday, December 23, 2020 at Altru Hospital in Grand Forks, ND.
A gathering time for family and friends will be held from Noon – 2:00 PM on Wednesday, December 30, 2020 at Johnson Funeral Service in Thief River Falls, MN. Please wear your mask and practice social distancing. A private family service led by Rev. Timothy Lundeen will follow at 2:30 PM.
DelRay Mylan Ruud was born August 17, 1955 in Roseau, MN the son of Mylan Herbert and Lila Ellen (Brandt) Ruud. He was baptized in Gatzke, MN at the United Lutheran Church. As a young man he worked on the farm in Veldt Township, Marshall County, MN with his siblings milking cows and raising sheep. DelRay attended Gatzke Elementary, Middle River High School, and graduated from Newfolden High School with the class of 1973.
On September 7, 1974, DelRay married Vickie Lynne Holthusen at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, rural Grygla, MN. They made their home in Gatzke, MN and were blessed with a daughter and a son. The family moved to Grygla, MN in 1980 and they were blessed with another son.
Throughout his life DelRay had various jobs including, Falls Concrete in Thief River Falls, janitor/bus driver at the Gatzke School, Grygla Implement, salesman at the Ford dealership in Roseau, MN, Marvin Windows in Warroad, MN and started his career in the mid-1980’s at Machinewell in Grygla where he worked until retirement in 2017 as a Quality Assurance Manager.
While living in the community of Grygla, DelRay served on the Grygla City Council from 1982-1988 and was elected as mayor in 1988 and 1991. He was a member of the Grygla Jaycees where he held numerous local and state positions. He was also a member of the Grygla Lions Club, acted in local plays and sang for public events, served several years as a First Responder and was a member of the Grygla Fire Department.
In his younger years, DelRay enjoyed playing football, softball, baseball and basketball. As a young adult, he loved bow, rifle, muzzle loader hunting, cooking, riding ATV’s and motorcycles. His biggest enjoyment was being with his wife, children, grandchildren and newly arrived great-grandchild, Ainsley.
Survivors include his loving wife Vickie of 46 years; children, Heather (Vince) Hagen, Derek (Danielle) Ruud and Devin (Krystle) Ruud; grandchildren, Kelsie & Jordan Hagen, Cole Garthus, Summer & William Ruud; great-granddaughter, Ainsley Renwick; mother, Lila (Charlie Ellingson) Ruud; siblings, Diane (Bruce) Lunsetter, Donovan Ruud, Denise (Blair) Holthusen, Dwight (Deb) Ruud; mother-in-law, Ardell Roen; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, relatives and friends.
He is preceded in death by his father, Mylan on April 28, 2004; sister, Doreen on August 11, 1979; fathers-in-law, Royal Holthusen in 1969 and Philip Roen on December 13, 2002; and grandparents, Mennik & Constance (Johnson) Ruud and Bennie & Ellen (Lisel) Brandt.
Condolences may be sent at www.johnsonfuneralservice.com
