Ruben Widmayer
September 19, 1927 ~ September 28, 2010
Served by: Luce, Luze & Reck Funeral Homes
Ruben Ralph Widmayer, 83, of Miller, died Tuesday, September 28 at the Avera Hand County Memorial Hospital in Miller surrounded by his loving family
Ruben's funeral service will be 2:00 p.m. Friday, October 1 at the First Presbyterian Church in Miller with Rev. Brian Jones officiating. Visitation will be Thursday, September 30 from 5pm to 7pm with a 7:00 p.m. prayer service at the Rembold Funeral Home in St. Lawrence.
Ruben was born on September 19th 1927 to Gottlieb & Katherine Widmayer who emigrated from Germany to Iowa. His dad was a minister so he spent all his childhood in rural country areas, wherever his dad had a parish.
He joined the military at the end of WWII. Due to his German heritage he was called to Germany to be an interpreter for the CIA. During this time he was able to see many of his relatives who had survived the war.
After his time in the army he attended college in Yankton SD where he met his lifelong love & companion Donna McClelland. Donna and Ruben were married on March 18th 1951. To this union three daughters were born. After graduation he taught high school in St. Lawrence, SD where he was also the basketball coach. Given the opportunity to go to law school and promised a partnership with Herb Heidepriem, he decided to take advantage of a program in Vermillion SD and go back to college to become an attorney.
Rubens involvement in the community included building the Hand County Library & helping establish the Good Samaritan Center. He was an elder in the First Presbyterian Church, Kiwanis, and Miller city council. He touched the lives of many people & will remain in our hearts forever.
Honored to share his life was his loving wife of 61 years Donna, daughters Deborah (Michael) Jorgensen, Tera Fawcett and Judy (Jerry) Koeck. His grandchildren Nicole (Arlen) Gortmaker, Kristen (Matthew) Krieger, Stephen Koeck, Kelly (Samuel) Felix, Lacey Fawcett, Rebekah Koeck, Colton Fawcett, Angela Koeck, Josiah Fawcett and Christian Koeck, and four beloved great-grandchildren Caden, Isaiah, & Allie Gortmaker & Jackson Krieger.
He was preceded in death by his parents Gottleib & Katherine, brothers Ted, & John, sisters Ruth & Lydia and an infant brother.
In Lieu of flowers a memorial has been established.
Ruben's funeral service will be 2:00 p.m. Friday, October 1 at the First Presbyterian Church in Miller with Rev. Brian Jones officiating. Visitation will be Thursday, September 30 from 5pm to 7pm with a 7:00 p.m. prayer service at the Rembold Funeral Home in St. Lawrence.
Ruben was born on September 19th 1927 to Gottlieb & Katherine Widmayer who emigrated from Germany to Iowa. His dad was a minister so he spent all his childhood in rural country areas, wherever his dad had a parish.
He joined the military at the end of WWII. Due to his German heritage he was called to Germany to be an interpreter for the CIA. During this time he was able to see many of his relatives who had survived the war.
After his time in the army he attended college in Yankton SD where he met his lifelong love & companion Donna McClelland. Donna and Ruben were married on March 18th 1951. To this union three daughters were born. After graduation he taught high school in St. Lawrence, SD where he was also the basketball coach. Given the opportunity to go to law school and promised a partnership with Herb Heidepriem, he decided to take advantage of a program in Vermillion SD and go back to college to become an attorney.
Rubens involvement in the community included building the Hand County Library & helping establish the Good Samaritan Center. He was an elder in the First Presbyterian Church, Kiwanis, and Miller city council. He touched the lives of many people & will remain in our hearts forever.
Honored to share his life was his loving wife of 61 years Donna, daughters Deborah (Michael) Jorgensen, Tera Fawcett and Judy (Jerry) Koeck. His grandchildren Nicole (Arlen) Gortmaker, Kristen (Matthew) Krieger, Stephen Koeck, Kelly (Samuel) Felix, Lacey Fawcett, Rebekah Koeck, Colton Fawcett, Angela Koeck, Josiah Fawcett and Christian Koeck, and four beloved great-grandchildren Caden, Isaiah, & Allie Gortmaker & Jackson Krieger.
He was preceded in death by his parents Gottleib & Katherine, brothers Ted, & John, sisters Ruth & Lydia and an infant brother.
In Lieu of flowers a memorial has been established.
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