Darrell Ruhberg, 85
Funeral services for Darrell D. Ruhberg, 85, of Brandon, were held Tuesday, June 12 at Faith United Church, Brandon, with burial at Graceland Cemetery, Mitchell.
He died Wednesday, June 6, 2018, at Sanford USD Medical Center, Sioux Falls.
He was born Sept. 1, 1932, in Mitchell to Hugo and Eloda (Walker) Ruhberg of Mt. Vernon. He grew up on the family farm and attended and graduated from a one-room schoolhouse. He met his wife, Patricia Thurman, when he was 16 while roller skating. They were married in 1951 and lived in Mitchell until moving to the Sioux Falls area in the late 1970s. They were long-time members of Faith United Church.
Darrell began his truck driving career at 19 and drove until he was 77 years old. He drove more than 4 million miles without an accident or citation and often stopped to help stranded motorists.
Darrell had a passion and talent for woodworking. He created many pieces of furniture and keepsakes for his family, friends and church. He was fond of fishing, boating, archery and hunting. He took great pride in his lawn and flowers, built birdhouses and loved feeding the birds and squirrels.
Darrell was well known for his sense of humor, his kind spirit and extreme generosity. He will be missed by many, loved by all, but never forgotten.
Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Pat Ruhberg of Brandon; two daughters, Vicki Bricker and her husband, Jon, Kailua Kona, Hawaii, and Jane Johnson, Sioux Falls; five grandchildren, Heather Myers, South Burlington, Vt., Heidi Bailey and Austin Bailey, both of Sioux Falls, Christopher Johnson and his wife, Brandi, Brandon, Matthew Johnson and his wife, Claire, Pierre; eight great-grandchildren, Taylor Bailey, Caiden Bailey, Alexis Hirsch, Brooke Hirsch, Ciara Tipton-Johnson, Cienna Tipton-Johnson, Caleb Johnson, Briley Johnson; his sister, Norma Harris and her husband, Don, Mitchell; and many other relatives and friends.
For online condolences, visit georgeboom.com.
