Melvin “Mel” Ruegemer, 96
Cold Spring, formerly of St. Joseph
April 20, 1928-Nov. 13, 2024
Melvin “Mel” Ruegemer, 96, of Cold Spring, and formerly of St. Joseph died peacefully on Nov. 13 in Assumption Nursing Home in Cold Spring. His funeral will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 21 at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 12 W. Minnesota St., St. Joseph. Burial will take place in the St. Joseph Parish in St. Joseph. The Rev. Brad Jenniges, OSB, will officiate. Visitation will begin after 9 a.m. on Thursday in Heritage Hall at St. Joseph Catholic Church.
Ruegemer was born April 20, 1928 in St. Martin, Minn. to Alfred and Magdalena (Blonigen) Ruegemer. On April 18, 1951, he married Aurelia “Rale” Kuhl in Farming, Minn. They farmed near Oak Park, Minn. for 12 years and then moved to St. Joseph, where Ruegemer managed the farm for the St. Benedict Community while Aurelia worked by his side raising their seven children. When the St. Benedict Community decided to quit farming, Ruegemer became the custodian for the St. Joseph Parish and grade school. Many grade schoolers fondly remember him as he became like a grandpa to them. As Ruegemer grew closer to retirement, he started making wooden toys and yard art. Other interests in his lifetime included ballroom and square dancing, playing cards, working crossword and jigsaw puzzles, playing Bingo.
Survivors include the following: his seven children: Bernice Schroeder of St. Michael, David of St. Joseph, Alan of Phenix City, Alabama, Joan (Dan “Simon”) Frie of Clear Lake, Susan (Bruce) Petersen of Waite Park, Ruth Boos of St. Joseph, and James (Carol) of Cold Spring; 12 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; brother Lawrence (Mary) of Richmond; nieces and nephews; other relatives; and many friends.
He was preceded in death by the following: his parents, wife Aurelia (2014); sons-in-law Marlin Schroeder (2020) and Vernon Boos (2022); daughter-in-law Judy Ruegemer (2024); grandson-in-law James Dean (2016); and siblings: Sylvester (RoseMary and Peggy), Marcella (Art) Zierden, Viola (Jerome) Zierden, Edwin (Inez), Lorella (Elmer) Pundsack, Virgil (Marlene and Susan) and Lorraine (Gerald) Hoffman.
A special thank you to the staff of St. Croix Hospice and the Assumption Community for all the care Ruegemer received.
