Tom Ruger

Tom Ruger, age 60 of Steen, MN died Friday, April 17, 2009 at The Sanford Hospice Cottage in Luverne, MN. Funeral service will be 1:00 PM, Monday, April 20th, 2009 at the Reformed Church of Steen in Steen, MN with Rev. Dan Kuik officiating. Burial will follow at the Eastside Cemetery rural Steen. Visitation will be Sunday, April 19th from 3:00 PM to 8:00 PM with the family present from 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM at the Jurrens Funeral Home of Rock Rapids. Thomas Harry Ruger was born November 2, 1948 in Algona, IA to Walter and Nelda (Volentine) Ruger. He was raised in the Lu Verne Iowa area and attended Lu Verne High School. Tom earned an Associates of Arts degree in Medical X-ray Technology and worked in Sioux Falls and surrounding area as an X-ray Technician. On February 14, 2004 Tom was united in marriage to Marcy Hvidsten at Peace Lutheran Church in Rock Rapids. The couple made their home in Steen, MN. Tom was an avid gardener. He loved working in and tending his garden from early spring to first frost. Marcy and Tom canned much of their produce, especially the many tomatoes that Tom enjoyed so much. There was always at least one cherry tomato plant on the deck to be used not only for meals but any time of the day. He also loved to fish. A trip of a lifetime for Tom was a fishing trip to the Twin Falls Lodge in Churchill River, Saskatchewan Canada with family members. The fishing was great and the water was remarkably clear. On Friday April 17 at the age of 60 after a long battle with cancer, Tom went home to the Lord. Tom will be greatly missed by family and friends. Tom is survived by his wife, Marcy Ruger of Steen, MN; daughters, Randi (Bruce) Belling of West Des Moines, IA, Carol Lyn (Mike) Sullivan of Little Elm, TX, and Ramona Jean (Thomas) Howell of Maricopa, AZ; Step-sons, Michael (Char) Hvidsten of Woonsocket, SD and Darin (Kim) Hvidsten of Mesa, AZ; six grandchildren; one brother, James (Christine) Ruger of Rockwell, IA; step-mother, Janice Burgess; step-sisters, Kathy Shaw of Alexandria, WV, Peggy (Greg) Hrdlicka of Cedar Rapids, IA and Jada Fry of Dallas, TX. Tom was preceded in death by his parents.