Robert Rugroden

The funeral service for Robert Owen Rugroden will be held at 10:30 AM Friday, August 5, 2005 at Trinity Lutheran Church, New Richland, MN. The Reverend Paul Andree will officiate. Burial will be in St. Olaf Cemetery, New Richland. Visitation will be from 5-8 PM Thursday at Friedrich Funeral Home in New Richland and one hour before the service at the church.



Robert died on Tuesday, August 2, 2005, at Waseca Medical Center, Waseca, MN. He was 68 years old.



Robert was born in Albert Lea, MN on July 15, 1937, the son of Milford and Ruth (Tenneson) Rugroden. He attended grade school in Freeborn, MN and was a 1955 graduate of New Richland High School. He attended Austin VoTech for two years and served with the U.S. Army for two years.



On July 26, 1958, he was united in marriage with Avis Hoelz in St. Peter Evangelical Lutheran Church, New Richland. They are members of Trinity Lutheran Church where Robert had been on the church council, ushered and on St. Olaf Cemetery Board.



Robert had been self employed: bowling alley owner, truck driver, photographer and school bus driver. He had coached soft ball and had been a pitcher on a fast pitch ball team. He was a member of the New Richland Sportsmans Club, and New Richland Bowling League. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, photography, trap shooting and telling jokes.



Robert is survived by his wife, Avis of New Richland, MN; three sons: Rick (Neva) Rugroden of Waseca, MN, Randy (Karen) Rugroden of Albert Lea, MN, Ryan Rugroden of Holmen, WI; four grandchildren: Jese, Stacey, Nathan, and Andrew; one sister, Marilyn (Pearce) Konold of Centralia, IL; nieces and nephews.



He was preceded in death by his parents and grandson, Tony.