Cheslie J. Ruud, 91, died on Patriot Day, Tuesday, September 11, 2007 at the VA Hospital in Fargo, ND.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 PM Friday, September 14, 2007 at United Lutheran Church in Gatzke, MN with Rev. Katie Koch officiating. Burial will follow at Landstad Cemetery, Gatzke, MN.

Visitation will be held Thursday, September 13, 2007 from 5:00 PM until 8:00 PM with a 7:00 PM prayer service at Johnson Funeral Service in Thief River Falls, MN. Visitation will also be held for one hour prior to the funeral on Friday at church.

Cheslie Juell Ruud was born February 1, 1916 on the family farm in Rollis Township near Gatzke, MN the son of Edward and Jenny Rose (Johnson) Ruud. He was baptized and confirmed into the Lutheran faith and attended Rollis Country School. Grew up on the family farm and worked for various farmers in the area before entering into service with the United States Army on June 17, 1941.

He took his basic training at Ft. Leonardwood, MO. He served in Hawaii and fought in battles and campaigns in Southern Philippines, Luzon and New Guinea. During these years Cheslie formed lifelong friendships with Ed Wilkerson of Paris, MO and Art Merlano of Detroit, MI. He was Honorably Discharged on December 9, 1945 at Camp McCoy, WI.

Cheslie was united in marriage to Arlette Franzman on November 2, 1947 at Bethel Lutheran Church in Grygla, MN. The couple made their home at Gatzke. To this union five children were born: Gerald, Wayne, Bonnie, Robert, and Terry. They farmed until moving to Minneapolis, MN in 1955 when Cheslie went to work as a welder at American Bridge and he also worked construction. In 1960, the family moved back to Gatzke, MN where they purchased a farm in Rollis Township and raised cattle and horses. He continued working road construction for many years.

Cheslie enjoyed raising and working with horses, particularly draft horses, dancing, plowing, nature, watching the birds and deer in their yard, listening to old-time and country music, especially the 'Back Behind The Barn Boys'. He especially enjoyed spending time with his family and his special life-long friends, Bill, Walter and Alton. He and Arlette enjoyed traveling to many parts of the world including Germany, Japan and Hawaii.

He was a member and Deacon of United Lutheran Church of Gatzke, a life-long member of American Legion Post 444 of Middle River, and of the VFW, served on Marshall County Historical Society, served on Rollis Township Board, and was sexton of the Landstad Cemetery. Cheslie received his Honorary High School Diploma in 2000.

Survivors include his loving wife of almost 60 years, Arlette of Gatzke; 5 wonderful children, Gerald "Gerry" (Sheila) Ruud of Young Harris, GA, Wayne (Elaine) Ruud of Karlstad, MN, Bonnie (Tim) Howard of Warren, MN, Robert Ruud of Chaska, MN and Terry (Lori OHara) Ruud of Moorhead, MN; 11 grandchildren; 6 great-grandchildren; sisters-in-law, Iris Most of Prescott, WI and Marion Franzman of Grygla, MN; several foster children including Pat Thompson of Grygla, MN; and many nieces, nephews and friends.

He is preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Johnnie, Art, Herman and Lester; sister, Effie Scramstad; brothers-in-law, Russell Franzman, Henry Scramstad, Melvin Most, Roy Johnson, Orvin Anderson; sisters-in-law, Arda Anderson, Vivian Ruud, Marion Ruud, Alice Ruud; and daughter-in-law, Carolyn.

Organist: Gloria Sistad
Special Music: Back Behind The Barn Boys Sheltered in the Arms of God Life's Railway to Heaven
Casketbearers: Michael W. Ruud, Josh Howard, Chris Howard, Ross Howard, Lowell Scramstad and Harry Scramstad
Military Honors: American Legion Post 444 of Middle River
Honorary Casketbearers: Cheslie's Grandchildren, Jennifer Ruud, Monica "Ruud" Hart, Jeremy Ruud, Mandi Ruud, Lorentza Ruud, Anna Ruud, Maggie OHara