Ruen, Otto A. 1915 - 2016

RUEN, EGGE, THORSEN, TJOSSEM, KOCH, LEA

Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 4/22/2016 at 14:23:45

Otto A. Ruen, age 100, of Decorah, Iowa, died Tuesday, April 19, 2016 at Good Samaritan Center in Waukon, IA.

Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, April 22, 2016 at Decorah Lutheran Church. Burial will be in Lutheran Cemetery in Decorah.

Visitation will be from 4:00-7:00 p.m. Thursday, April 21 at Fjelstul Funeral Home in Decorah and on Friday, beginning at 10:00 a.m., one hour before the service, at Decorah Lutheran Church.

Otto A. Ruen was born June 13, 1915 in rural Waukon, Iowa to Olaus and Amanda (Egge) Ruen, the fifth of six children: Laurence, Olger, Eleanor, Adolph, Otto, and Vernon. He was educated in the rural schools of Allamakee County through eighth grade, after which he worked on the family farm until entering the US Army. While serving in the army, Otto married Laila Thorsen of Waukon on December 25, 1941 while home on leave. They were blessed with two children, Ronald and Mark. After being discharged from the army he held various jobs in the Decorah area before opening his own furniture retail business in 1956. He owned and operated Ruen Furniture for twenty years and remained involved in it for an additional twenty years while it was owned by his sons Ronald and Mark. He was awarded an honorary diploma from Decorah High School in 2008.

Otto was a member of Decorah Lutheran Church. He enjoyed growing and sharing produce from his garden. He also enjoyed old automobiles, especially his 1956 DeSoto. What brought him greatest joy were his grandchildren and great grandchildren. During his retirement years, Otto enjoyed spending mornings with friends over a cup of coffee at Hardees and McDonalds. Otto took pride in living in his own home until the age of 99, when he became a resident of Wellington Assisted Living in Decorah. He spent his first night in the hospital at the age of 100 and then moved for a brief time to Good Samaritan Center in Waukon.

Otto is survived by his children, Ronald Ruen & Judy Tjossem, and Mark & Nancy Ruen, all of Decorah; his grandchildren and great grandchildren: Kari & Clint Koch, Colton & Wyatt; and Erica & Peter Lea, Kirsten & Simon. Otto is also survived by nieces and nephews, as well as cousins.

Preceding Otto in death were his parents, his wife Laila on November 21, 1985, great grandson Nolan Koch on August 5, 2010, and his siblings Laurence, Olger, Eleanor, Adolph, and Vernon.

The family suggests that memorials may be given to Decorah Lutheran Church, Wellington Place Assisted Living, Good Samaritan Center, or Winneshiek Medical Center Hospice.

Source: Fjelstul Funeral Home database

Lutheran Decorah Cemetery
 

Winneshiek Obituaries maintained by Jeff Getchell.
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