Melvin John Ruba

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2022, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Remsen, IA with Father Timothy Pick officiating, Father Terry Roder concelebrating and Deacon Doug Heeren assisting.  Burial will follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Remsen, Iowa.  Graveside military honors will be conducted by VFW Post 3328, American Legion Post 220 both of Remsen and Nash Post 140 American Legion of Kingsley.  Visitation with family present will be 4-7p.m. on Tuesday, there will be a parish rosary and vigil prayer service at 5 p.m. all at Fisch Funeral Home & Monument in Remsen.  Visitation will resume at 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday at the funeral home.

Melvin was born On January 28, 1928 at Remsen to Nicholas & Kate (Loutsch) Ruba.  He received his early education in a rural school, finishing 10th grade at St. Mary’s Catholic School in Remsen. He then helped his father and brothers with farming.

In March of 1951, he was drafted into the Army. He took his basic training at Camp Atterbury, IN. His unit was then assigned to the 109th Regiment of the 28th Division as replacements in the Pennsylvania National Guard. In October of 1951 he was sent to Augeburg, Germany where he remained until March of 1953 when he was honorably discharged. He enjoyed traveling to Luxemburg many times to visit relatives.  When he returned home, he started farming northeast of Remsen.

On November 10, 1953 he married Agnes Kellen of Alton by his brother Msg. Nicholas Ruba. They were parents of 7 children. They farmed until March of 1995 and retired into Remsen.  Agnes and Melvin moved into Bavarian Meadows in 2014. Agnes passed away in March of 2015. Melvin continued to live there until April 0f 2020 when Covid hit, and his health failed. He then moved to Happy Siesta until his death.

Melvin enjoyed talking about the old days and could remember many things and people which he did till his passing.  He loved to visit, play cards and golf till his eye site left him. He was also known to want things done yesterday by his kids.

Melvin is survived by his children, Bob (Rose) Ruba, Sue (Dick) Miller, Mark (Julie) Ruba, David (Lynn) Ruba, Randy (Patty Williams) Ruba, Roger (Darnell) Ruba and Dianne (John) Orr; 17 grandkids, 8 step-grandkids, 33 great-grandkids, 16 step-great-grandkids and 1 step-great-great-grandchild; one sister, Doris Seuntjens; in-laws, Jean Kellen, Jerry (Perry) Kellen, Liz Kellen, Arnold (Peggy) Kellen.

He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Irvin(Ethel), Roman, Harold, Msg Nicholas, Jim(Dorothy) Ruba. Sister Rosemary(Joe) Roder. His in-laws Al(Elizabeth) Kellen. Louie Kellen, Delores(Sylvester) Hansen, Lawrence(Doris) Kellen, Ambrose(Ann) Kellen, Joe Kellen, Daniel(Sandy) Kellen and Bob Seuntjens.

Casket bearers will be Daniel Ruba, Tyler Ruba, Tim Miller, Kaitlyn Ruba, Kyle Ruba, James Orr and Heath Schweitzberger.