Howard Orville Ruen

Howard Orville Ruen, age 61, of Kalona, IA (formerly of Decorah, IA), died Saturday, March 19, 2011 at Winneshiek Medical Center in Decorah. Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 A.M. Thursday, March 24, 2011 at First Lutheran Church in Decorah, IA with Rev. Harris Hostager officiating. Burial will be in Lutheran Cemetery in Decorah with full military honors. Visitation will be from 4:00-8:00 P.M. Wednesday, March 23, at Fjelstul Funeral Home in Decorah and on Thursday one hour before the service at the church. Howard Orville Ruen was born December 18, 1949, in Decorah, Iowa, the son of Orville and Geneva (Allen) Ruen. He was baptized and confirmed at First Lutheran Church in Decorah. He was a 1968 graduate of Decorah High School and attended the University of Northern Iowa in 1968. Howard enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1969 and served until 1974. He was stationed on the USS Robinson as a Fire Control Tech during the Vietnam War. Howard was united in marriage to Diane J. Dallenbach on November 6, 1969 at First Lutheran Church in Decorah, Iowa. This union was blessed with three children: Paula, Dale and James. They had made their home in East Dubuque, IL, Dyersville, IA, Decorah, IA and Kalona, IA. They are active members of Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Dubuque, IA where he had been an adult Sunday school teacher, confirmation instructor, Trustee and helped with maintenance. Howard worked for Pitney-Bowes from 1976-1999 out of Dubuque, IA as a traveling service repair tech, covering parts of Iowa, Wisconsin and Illinois. He then worked for Decorah Auto Center, Featherlite in Cresco, IA, Walmart in Decorah, IA and Coralville, IA, and Hills Bank and Trust in Hills, IA. Howard’s family was of utmost importance to him. He enjoyed attending and supporting all athletic events of his children and other family members. He taught his children the sportsmanship of a humble champion. He enjoyed watching everything on TV, especially western and war movies. He loved working on cars, helping everyone fix up things and taking his dog, Teddy, for walks. Howard was preceded in death by his parents: Orville and Geneva, Ruen; and by one brother, Daryl Ruen. Howard is survived by his wife, Diane of Kalona, IA; his daughter, Paula Ruen of South English, IA; two sons: Dale and James Ruen of Iowa City, IA; one sister, Olga (Robert) Schroeder of Beulah, ND; three brothers: Leslie (Nancy) Ruen of KauKauna, WI, Lee (Ruth) Ruen of East Dubuque, IL, George (Susan) Ruen of Decorah, IA; brothers-and-sisters-in-law: Dennis (Jane) Dallenbach of Waterloo, IA, Judy (Wayne) VanNatta of Waterloo, IA, Tom (Nancy) Dallenbach of Waterloo, IA, Karen (John) Eisentrager of Lakeville, MN, Kevin (Linda) Dallenbach of Waterloo, IA, Deb (Monte) Erickson of Pomeroy, IA and Mary (Fran) Patterson of Jolley, IA; and one aunt, Ruth Allen of Waukon, IA. He is also survived by many nieces, nephews and beyond. Memorials may be given to the Decorah Athletic Boosters, Decorah, IA or the University of Iowa Athletic Department.