Robert 'Bob' P. Rugroden
Robert "Bob" Peter Rugroden, 82, of Menahga died Friday, Oct. 20, 2006 at Green Pine Acres Nursing Home in Menahga.
He was born April 12, 1924 to Oscar and Ida (Lehrke) Rugroden in Henrietta Township, Hubbard County. He graduated from school in Nevis in 1942. He enlisted in the US Army May 20, 1943 and served during World War II in the European and later the Middle Eastern Theatres of war. He later transferred to the Air Force Reserve where he served until his honorable discharge after 23 years of service.
He married Marjorie Gregerson June 15, 1946 at St. Johns Lutheran Church in Park Rapids. They owned and operated the Osage Cafe, farmed, owned and operated auto parts stores and the Friendly Acres Resort on Two Inlets Lake. In 1980, they retired to Park Rapids. Later, they moved to Menahga where they lived at the Woodside Manor and Green Pine Acres.
He was a founding member of the Headwaters Amateur Radio Club and was active for 41 years. He was a member of Otto Hendrickson American Legion Post 212 and St. Johns Lutheran Church, both in Park Rapids. He also had his private pilot's license.
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He is survived by six children, Jim (Kathy), Nancy (John) Scott and Carol Thumma, all of Fargo, Linda (Larry) Conner of Cass Lake, Dave (Susan) of Park Rapids and Dr. Jayne (Tom) Aldrich of Gardner, ND; sister, Esther Miller of The Villages, FL; two brothers, Kenneth (Mary) Rugroden of Crosby and Curtis (Verna) Rugroden of Philo, IL; two sisters-in-law, Bernice Sitz of Bloomington and Arlene Rugroden of Minneapolis; 20 grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his wife in 2005; four brothers, Herb Sitz, Ovid Sitz, Arthur Sitz and Roger Rugroden; and two sisters, Judith Rugroden-Heckel and Dorothea Sitz.
Funeral: Tuesday, Oct. 24 at St. Johns Lutheran Church in Park Rapids with Revs. James Neubauer and Matthew Thompson officiating.
Honorary casketbearers: His grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Active casketbearers: James and David Rugroden, Larry Conner, John Scott, Thomas Aldrich and Jeff Crist.
Interment: Greenwood Cemetery in Park Rapids.
Military honors were provided by the Park Rapids All Veterans Burial Team and Ray Vaadeland was the bugler.
