James Edward Ruis

A memorial service for James Ruis, age 79, of Milaca, will be held Saturday, November 25, 2017 at 2:00 p.m. at the Milaca Alliance Church. Visitation will be held one hour prior to services at the church. Interment will be held in the spring at the Spencer Brook Cemetery. James Edward Ruis was born December 15, 1937 to Edward and Ruth (Clough) Ruis in Baldwin Township, Minnesota. The family relocated to Princeton, where the children attended Princeton Public Schools. Jim graduated in 1956 from Princeton High School. Jim joined the Minnesota National Guard, and served for nine years. On June 02, 1961, he was united in marriage to Marcia Tinklenberg. Jim was employed at the Skogmo Department Store, and continued his employment, following the store purchase by Vic and Louise Ossell. He continued to work with Ossell’s until a fire in January of 1963 destroyed their business, along with six other Princeton businesses. Following the fire, he worked briefly for Inland Lumber Company in Milaca and Elk River, until finding more permanent employment at Hoffman Engineering in Anoka. He continued to work for Hoffman Engineering until his retirement in 1999. Jim loved to go camping and fishing, biking, and riding his motorcycle until his health prevented him from doing these activities. He made numerous cross-country trips on his bicycle, and loved to talk about them to anyone who would listen.He is survived by his children, Scott (Connie) Ruis of Milaca, Darcy (Mark) Van Beek of Belgrade, MT, Troy (Julie) Ruis of Grafton, IA; eight grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; brothers, Roger (Sandra) Ruis of Danville, VA, Garry (Judy) Ruis of Elk River, and Harold (Tina) Ruis of Cambridge, sister, Maxine (Robert) Burroughs of Beatrice, NE; many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.Jim was preceded in death by his parents, Edward and Ruth Ruis and sister, Cheryl Kay Ruis