Charles "Chuck" Von Ruden

Charles “Chuck” Von Ruden, 76, of Portland, ND, died Wednesday, June 17, 2009, at Altru Hospital in Grand Forks, ND. Chuck was born January 20th, 1933 at the home of his parents, Jack (VJ) and Tillie Von Ruden in rural Morgan Township. He attended Morgan #4 country school, and Mayville High School. After high school he served his country in the Army from 1953 to 1955. He married Val Gjellereit in 1953. After the service he attended Wahpeton State School of Science for auto body mechanics. The couple moved to Grand Forks where he worked for one year before moving back to Mayville where Chuck worked for Mayville Motors until he retired. In 1979, he married Lorraine Week. They lived in Mayville-Portland together until she died in December, 2007. Chuck was an avid hunter all his life. He enjoyed trips to Montana elk hunting and deer hunting. He also enjoyed bowling, fishing, and camping. He was president of the Eagles. He loved horses and raised many over the years. He had a wonderful sense of humor, a kind and gentle spirit, a generous heart, and will be greatly missed. Chuck is survived by his daughter, Connie Bjerk of Grand Forks; his sister Margaret (Ted) Meier of Great Falls, MT; brothers, Donald (Delores)Von Ruden of Mayville; Bernard (Marsha) Von Ruden of Altoona, IA; and his grandchildren, Aaron Bjerk of Grand Forks, Adam (Laura) Bjerk of Bemidji, MN, and Jessica Bjerk of Minneapolis, MN. He was preceded in death by his parents, and wife, Lorraine. Visitation: Monday, June 22, 2009, from 5-7 PM with a prayer service at 6:30 PM at Baker Funeral Home, Mayville, ND, and one hour before the funeral at the church. Funeral: 10:30 AM, Tuesday, June 23, 2009, at Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church, Mayville, ND. Burial: Mayville Cemetery, Mayville, ND.