To view the Mass of Christian Burial, please go to: https://youtu.be/0zExu6IzA68

Margaret Ruder Obituary

November 13, 1935 – January 3, 2024

Margaret Mary Ruder "Marge" , 88, of Grand Forks, ND passed away Wednesday, January 3, 2024, at Altru Hospital, Grand Forks.

Marge was born November 13, 1935, to Henry and Bernadine (Temaat) Grasser in Hodgeman County, KS.  She attended school in Hodgeman County.  She graduated from Spearville High School in 1953 and the St. Joseph's School of Nursing in Wichita in 1956.  Marge married Gerald (Gerry) Ruder September 28, 1957, at the McConnell Air Force Base in Wichita, KS.  They shared nearly 62 years together.

Marge skillfully built and nurtured a home at each location Gerry was assigned.  She sewed new clothing for her taller than average children, including parkas and mittens when living in Alaska.  She persevered sewing stripes on Gerry's uniforms and badges for scouting accomplishments.  Marge and Gerry guided the family in activities and food experiences in each new area, while sharing some of the traditions they had grown up with. Always curious and creative, Marge explored crafts and projects of each region.   Marge returned to nursing in Grand Forks, North Dakota taking a refresher course at the University of North Dakota.  Marge worked at UND's Rehabilitation Center.  After retiring from nursing, she began oil painting, creating treasures for family and friends.  Each fall she would assist Gerry in preserving the garden harvest and during the Christmas season she would race to add the finishing artistic touches on the wood projects she and Gerry created for family and friends.

Marge is remembered as living her life in a faith filled manner.  She was active in the Catholic Daughters of America and St. Mary's Altar Society. Gerry and Marge were active in the St. Joseph's Social Care and Thrift Store (formerly St. Vincent de Paul) which was founded after the flood of 1997.  Marge worked in the St. Joseph's Food Pantry for many years.

Her grandchildren knew Grandma Marge offered encouragement, gave the best hugs and made the best snickerdoodle cookies.

Left to cherish her memory are her children Deborah Ruder, Aberdeen, SD; Diane (Ron) Stoltenberg, Jackson, MN; David (Jill) Ruder Sartell, MN; Dale (Denise) Ruder, Kalamazoo, MI and grandchildren Alexis (William) Weir, Paige, Mason (Catlyn), Katrina, Lucas, Kristin, Elizabeth and Matthew; and great grandchildren Grant, Avery, Luke, Silas, Rowan and Iris.   Sisters Louise (Dwaine) Lampe, Spearville, KS and Elvira Lorenzen, Hurst, Tx; Brother Gerald Grasser, Garden City, KS. Sisters-in-law Pat Lang, Wichita, KS; Darlene Werth, Hays, KS; Carmen Ruder, Hill City, KS; Brother-in-law Allen (Mary) Ruder, Victoria, KS.  Marge was preceded in death by her husband, Gerald Ruder; parents Henry and Bernadine Grasser; Father-in-law and Mother-in-law Henry and Josepha Ruder; Brother and Sister-in-law Leo and Marilyn Grasser; Sister-in-law Pat Grasser and Brother-in-law Larry Lorenzen; Brothers-in- law Virgil, Robert, Wayne Ruder, Irvin Werth and Ron Lang, Donald and Sister-in-law Jane.

Mass of Christian Burial: 11:00 a.m. Friday, January 12, 2024, in St. Mary's Catholic Church, Grand Forks, ND, with Fr. James Gross officiating.
Visitation: 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Thursday, January 11, 2024, with a 7:00 p.m. rosary service, led by the Catholic Daughters of the Americas Court Marquette #677, and a vigil service in the Historic Norman Funeral Home Chapel.  Visitation will continue for one hour prior to the liturgy in the church on Friday.
Interment: At a later date, in the Kansas Veterans' Cemetery, WaKeeney, KS.

Blessed be the memory of Margaret Mary Ruder.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be given to your charity of choice.