Orville Ruppert, 82

Orville Vincent Ruppert, 82 died Sunday, April 29, 2012 at his home, surrounded by his family.

Orville was born August 12, 1929 in Currie, the son of Valentine and Catherine (Potthoff) Ruppert. He graduated from Currie High School in 1947. Orville served his country from 1951-1953 in the United States Army during the Korean Conflict.

On September 16, 1954 Orville was united in marriage to Judith Keeler in Pipestone. To this union nine children were born. The Ruppert family lived in Currie where Orville farmed until 1967 when he bought a Coast to Coast Hardware Store in Tracy. In 1975, the family moved to Fergus Falls where he sold farm products and in 1986, Orville had to semi-retire due to a farm accident.

Orville and Judy moved to Holmes City where they bought a hobby farm. During this time he worked part time for Fleet Farm in Alexandria and as caretaker of St. Mary’s Cemetery for several years.

Orville was a member of the Knights of Columbus and American Legion while living in Currie and was president of Kiwanis in Tracy. Orville was also involved in league bowling all his adult life. He enjoyed a game of Scrabble, poker, pool and horseshoes. He loved time out on the water fishing and in his retirement years he enjoyed writing stories and poetry.

Orville cherished time spent with family, whether it was holiday gatherings or a road trip with his wife, Judy. He was a great man who will be truly missed.

He is survived by his wife, Judith; five sons, Dennis of Sauk Centre, Dean of Spearfish, SD, Bill of Fergus Falls, Brian of Alexandria, Joe (fiancee, Jamie Regier) of Omaha, NE; four daughters, Lynn Solberg of Alexandria, Jane (Carl) Burton of Fergus Falls, Hope (Benet) Schulz of Hoffman, Tammy Ruppert (significant other, Brandt Johnson) of Alexandria; 22 grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; brother, Herb Ruppert of Currie; sisters, Leota Silver of Tracy, Marcella Cummiskey of Currie.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Harold, Raymond, Louis; sisters, Lillian Busch, Julia Peltola, Irma Carlson; two sisters-in-law and three brothers-in-law.

Mass of Christian Burial was held Wednesday, May 2 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Alexandria. Honorary casket bearers were his grandchildren and casket bearers were Dennis Ruppert, Dean Ruppert, Bill Ruppert, Brian Ruppert, Joseph Ruppert, Carl Burton. Military honors were by the American Legion Post 87, VFW Post 936 and the Minnesota National Guard Honors.

Arrangements are with Anderson Funeral Home in Alexandria; www.andersonfuneral.net.

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