Robert La Follete Martin Ruffing

Robert M. Ruffing

A memorial mass will be held Friday, Oct. 20, 1989 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Leo's Catholic Church for Robert La Follete Martin Ruffing followed by graveside services in the Lusk Cemetery. Father Patrick Shea will be officiating and the V.F.W. will participate.

Ruffing was born July 21, 1912 at Edgemont, South Dakota to Christian and Gertrude Marking Ruffing. He grew up on the family ranch 30 miles north of Lusk, attending country schools and graduated from Lusk High School in 1930.

He enlisted in the U. S. Navy immediately following graduation and served until 1935. From 1935 to 1942 he was in the bee business with his brother, Edward, at Hyattville. In 1942 he re-enlisted in the Navy until 1944 when he received an honorable medical discharge.

He married Elizabeth Kraftchac in Beverly Hills, Calif., April 9, 1944. Upon his discharge they moved to Oregon and worked in various enterprises until his retirement in 1973.

Ruffing died Oct. 12, 1989 at the V.A. Hospital in Boise, Idaho following a lengthy illness.

He is survived by his wife, Betty of Ontario, Ore.; two sisters, Monica Erny of Alliance, Neb., and Beatrice Avenell of Worland, Wyo.; one brother, Jennings Ruffing of Lusk; nine nephews and 10 nieces. He was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters, Luella and Thelma; three brothers, Henry, Edward and Albert; and one nephew, Kenneth.

Arrangements are being made by Peet Mortuary.

Note: This obituary is entered as published. The birth announcement in the Lusk Herald state Robert's birth date as July 22. His gravestone says July 12. July 21 is used, because all other military and civil records found use that date.

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