Valeda Ruesch

In Loving Memory Of

Valeda MaryAnn Ruesch

Valeda Gunderman, the daughter of Erich and Ella (Meier) Gunderman, was born on February 26, 1930, on a farm east of Fulda, MN. She went to country school one year, and then continued her school years at St. Paul’s Lutheran School and Fulda High School, graduating in 1948. After graduation, she got a job at Shorty’s Cafe in Fulda. She worked there a brief time before moving to Fairmont, MN, to work at her uncle, Hugh Meier’s, cafe. She worked there a little over a year, and then moved back to the Fulda area. She, again, worked at Shorty’s Cafe. It was there she was introduced to Orville Ruesch by their mutual friend. Orville was drafted into the army, training in Fort Riley, Kansas, and then served in Korea. Valeda worked at Nelson’s Drugstore, in Fulda, while Orville was in the army. When he returned from Korea, they made plans to get married. Orville and Valeda were married on April 24, 1953 at St Paul’s Lutheran Church in Fulda. After marriage they lived and farmed on the Ruesch family farm, where they raised their family of seven children. Valeda was known for baking excellent bread, buns and rolls. She enjoyed sewing clothing for her daughters and herself. Throughout the years she made many quilts, and crocheted many doilies. She always had projects she was working on. Valeda enjoyed growing houseplants—being an expert at growing African violets. And, she enjoyed listening to music and singing. She also enjoyed playing card games with family and friends. Her high school yearbook stated that she was “always busy as a bee”; she was like that all of her days. Orville and Valeda retired from farming in 1993, but remained on the farm. They enjoyed many visits from family. The grandchildren learned about country life there, and made many good memories on their visits to Grandpa and Grandma’s farm. In 2008, Orville and Valeda moved into Fulda. They were married 60 years at the time of Orville’s passing on August 16, 2013. Valeda continued living in their home until September 2015 when she moved into Mapleview Estates Assisted Living. In May of 2019 she moved into Maple Lawn Nursing Home and passed away there on Tuesday, January 10, 2023 at the age of 92.

Survivors include her 7 children, Angela (Fred) Pane of Omaha, NE, Lorna (Mark) Bennett of Colorado Springs, CO, Alan (Valerie) Ruesch of Fulda, MN, Myron (Bobbi) Ruesch of Queen Creek, AZ, Brenda (Verlis) Schilling of Adrian, MN, Diane (Dave) Spomer of Savage, MN and Lorin (Marty Pleasant) Ruesch of Prior Lake, MN; 14 grandchildren, Jennifer and Christine Pane, Collin (Taryn) Bennett, Merrill (Tracy) Bennett, Marissa (Daniel) Zheng, Laurel (Kevin) Bernstetter, Phillip (Jamie) Bennett, Tyler (Carrie) Ruesch, Trevor Ruesch, Abbigail and Emmili Ruesch, Derek (Breanna) Schilling, Amanda and Paul Spomer; 13 great-grandchildren, Greyson Budd, Adeline, Graham and Penelope Bennett, Olivia, Gabriel and Jordan Bennett, Asher and Benjamin Zheng, Kent Bennett, Daya and Finley Schilling and Reid Ruesch, sister, Lylah (Harold) Nelson, Winnebago, MN and 2 nieces and 2 nephews. She is preceded in death by her parents, husband and In-laws, John and Minnie Ruesch, Verna Ruesch, Frederick “Bud” and June Jones. 

Funeral Services

Immanuel Lutheran Church Fulda, MN at 11:00 AM on Saturday, January 14, 2023 with Rev. Lance Isaacson officiating.  The organist is Roxanne Kremer. The pallbearers are her grandchildren. Interment at Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery Fulda, MN.

Visitation will be Friday from 4 to 6 PM at the Totzke Funeral Home in Fulda and one hour prior to the service at the church on Saturday. 

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