In Memory of Robert H. Ruser

Robert H. Ruser, age 76, of Ida Grove, Iowa passed away on Thursday, June 11, 2015 at the Horn Memorial Hospital of Ida Grove, Iowa.

Memorial Services will be held at 10:30 a.m., Monday, June 15, 2015, at the St. Paul Lutheran Church of Ida Grove, Iowa. The Reverend Richard A. Salcido will officiate. Burial will be in the Ida Grove Cemetery of Ida Grove, Iowa. Visitation will be held from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., on Sunday, June 14, 2015 at the Christensen – Van Houten Funeral Home of Ida Grove, Iowa. The Christensen ~ Van Houten Funeral Home of Ida Grove, Iowa is in charge of the funeral arrangements. Condolences may be sent online to www.christensenvanhouten.com 

On June 11, 2015 Robert “Bob” Hugh Ruser was called to his heavenly home after a lengthy battle with COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease).  Robert was born July 20, 1938 in rural Battle Creek, Iowa to Herbert and Louise (Rathbun) Ruser.

Robert graduated from Ida Grove High School in 1956 and was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith in 1958.  On May 18, 1958 he married Shirley Petersen, the love of his life.  The ‘King’ and ‘Queen’ were blessed with 4 little ‘Jokers’ Becky, Beth, Amy and Julie. 

Early in their marriage, Robert was employed by various local construction businesses. In 1961, Robert ventured out on his own and along with Shirley established Ruser Dirt Moving.  Due to health reasons, Robert retired in 2004.  He was a man of the earth and during his 43 year career, he built many of the terraces and waterways in Ida County.  He was a compassionate man and often brought home many displaced animals such as squirrels, owls, coyotes, rabbits, and birds, and after nursing them to health he returned them to the wild. Much to the dismay of his children.

Robert loved spending time with his family and enjoyed many years of camping, fishing, playing cards and black powder shooting events using his trusted gun “Josie”.  In recent years, his health limited his activities to bird watching, enjoying Walker, Texas Ranger, and eating tic tacs.

Those left to cherish his memory include Shirley his wife of 57 years; daughters Becky (Scott) Michaelsen of Ida Grove and their children Andrew (Gage and Rafe), Ryan, and Aaron; Beth (Kevin) Farley of Ida Grove and their children Amanda (Neil) Carroll (Evan and Jace), Dustin and Brittney (baby Farley); Amy (Mike) Sievers of Spencer and their children Aric (Tristan) and Trey; Julie (Stephen) Campbell of Colorado Springs, Colorado and their children Quincy and Madison; his sister-in-law Dorothy Ruser of Ida Grove and brother-in-law Choyce Chadwick of Gadsen Alabama, many relatives, friends, and his beloved dog, Maize.

Robert was preceded in death by his parents Herbert and Louise, in laws Andrew and Martha Petersen, sister Janet Chadwick, and brother Wayne Ruser.