Murel Eugene (Gene) Ruther, 92

Murel Eugene (Gene) Ruther peacefully entered the presence of his heavenly Father on October 8, 2021 at the State Veterans Home. Gene was born June 27, 1929 in Valentine, NE, the son of Frank and Dorothy (Schroeder) Ruther. At an early age his parents moved to a farm southeast of Newport, NE, where he grew up and attended school in a one room schoolhouse, where the teacher taught all eight grades. He attended high school at Stuart, Newport and graduated high school from Bassett, NE in 1946.

On September 7, 1958, Gene married Marlene Morse. They moved to Hot Springs, SD in 1962 where he and Marlene raised their family of three. Gene was employed by the State Veterans Home and then later at the V.A. Medical Center until he retired in 1997. He also worked some for the Hot Springs School District and Fall River Veterinary Clinic.

On April 2, 1964, Gene accepted Jesus as his personal Lord and Savior. He was baptized by immersion and became a faithful member at Calvary Baptist Church. Later Gene joined Cascade Road Baptist Church where he served faithfully and was ordained as a deacon. In 2000, he joined and served at Joy Community Fellowship as a deacon until his passing. Gene was passionate about witnessing to others about his precious Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. During his final week, he expressed many times his growing desire to finally go home to be with his precious Lord.

He leaves his faithful wife, Marlene; son, Tim (Dena) Ruther; daughter, Shirley (Bill) McClain; son, Frank Ruther; nephews, Charles, Gregory and Marinus May; niece, Geraldean (Brad) Walker and many friends.

Funeral services will be held 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, October 13, 2021, at Chamberlain McColley’s Funeral Home in Hot Springs, SD. Committal services will follow at Pringle Cemetery in Pringle, SD.

Arrangements have been placed in the care of Chamberlain McColley’s Funeral Home in Hot Springs, SD.