Ruben Kludt, age 92, of 341 21st St. SE, Huron, SD, died Sunday, September 21, 2008, at his home.
His funeral service will be at 2:00 p.m. Thursday, September 25, at First United Methodist Church. Burial will be at Restlawn Memory Gardens Cemetery with Military Rites by the Huron Veterans Council.
Visitation will be Wednesday from 1-8 p.m. at the Welter Funeral Home with the family present from 4-6:30 p.m.; or Thursday afternoon one hour prior to the service at the church.
Ruben Carl Kludt was born on December 10, 1915, to Edward and Emma (Zeeck) Kludt at Yale, SD, where he also grew up and received his education.
He worked for Armour & Company from 1939-1945 until his entry into the U.S. Army.
In 1941, Rube married Edna Baum, and to this union his 3 children were born. Edna died in 1963.
On June 21, 1945, Rube entered the U.S. Army during World War II and served oversees in Germany with the Army of Occupation. He was honorably discharged on July 9, 1946.
In 1947, Rube and Edna bought The Brown Derby Supper Club in Huron. He later managed the Plains from 1958-1969. He also managed The Frontier Lounge in Winner, SD, and the American Legion Club in Huron from 1976-1980.
In 1966, Rube married Millie Wynn.
In 1976 he married Grace Scheel who died in 2000.
He was a member of First United Methodist Church, life member of the Forrest McMullen VFW Post #1776 of Huron, William Reaves American Legion Post #7 of Huron, 40 et 8, and the Elks Lodge. His many interests included fishing, hunting, and all sporting events especially bowling and golfing. Rube found spiritual comfort in reading his Bible which he had read, cover to cover, 5 times. He also was very interested with current events and concerned with what was happening locally and in the world.
He is survived by 1 son, Rollie Kludt and his wife Pam of Watertown; 2 daughters, Myrna Jones and her husband Curt of Belfair, WA, and Bonnie Horton and her husband Lloyd Freese of Huron; 6 grandchildren, Kim (Bruce) Butler, Kurt (Bonnie) Jones, Laurie (Ed) Painter, Terry Kludt, Kelly (Ryan) Ray, and Kristy (Dave) Oros; 9 great grandchildren; 1 great great grandchild; 2 sisters, Marie Baker of Deadwood, and Doris Gross of Deadwood; several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; 2 wives, Edna and Grace; 3 brothers, Carl Kludt in 1938, Eddie Kludt in 1988, and Alvin PeeWee Kludt in 2001; 1 sister, Vera Doering in 1997; 2 sisters-in-law, Violet Kludt, and Dee Kludt; and 3 brothers-in-law, Gerry Doering, Howard Baker, and Pete Gross.