Services for Reuben Leonard Rydeen,
Mon, 04/28/2025 - 10:53am
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Reuben Leonard Rydeen, 98, died April 10, 2025. Reuben was born on January 24, 1927, in Clearbrook, Minnesota, the seventh of eight children of Edward and Louella (Schneider) Rydeen. He attended District 20 School through 8 th grade and graduated from Clearbrook High School in 1943 at 16 years old. He was a proud WWII veteran and served his country from 1945-1946 in the U.S. Navy as an electrician. He returned home to the Rydeen family farm, recognized as a Century Farm, homesteaded by his father in 1897. On July 15, 1950, he married Wanda Forsberg from Gully. They raised four children.
In addition to farming, he worked as Clearwater County assessor (1968-1975) and then the MN Dept. of Revenue (1975-1991). A teacher at heart, he mentored and trained young assessors throughout Minnesota. Over the years, he received many awards as an appraiser. He and Wanda retired in 1991 and traveled by RV across the United States. They loved their winters in Florida and Arizona.
He belonged to Good Shepherd Lutheran Church and was a Lifetime Member of American Legion Post 256 with 79 years of continuous membership. He served as Post Commander and marched with the color guard carrying the U.S. flag. Reuben loved his country.
Civic minded, Reuben gave back to his community in many ways. He supported the Clearwater County Agricultural Society and was Clearbrook Bicentennial co-chair. He was instrumental in getting the tractor pulls started at the Clearwater County Fair and worked on major improvements to the fairgrounds over the years. He received the Outstanding Clearwater County Senior Citizen and the Friend of 4-H awards.
Reuben was a smart man and forward thinking, never losing his interest in farming and agriculture. He loved fixing things, taking pride in making them “a little bit better.” He enjoyed deer hunting and fishing and family gatherings of all kinds. He was a good friend and always willing to help anyone who needed it.
He was kind and gentle. Most of all he was dedicated to his family. He and his wife, Wanda, married for nearly 75 years, were well matched. They worked hard and had fun together. He was so proud of their four children and eight grandchildren. His family will remember him with love and affection. And one thing we know for sure . . . when the gates of heaven opened, Reuben was welcomed with a polka.
Preceded in death by parents Edward & Louella; brothers Edmund, Ernest; sisters Dorothy Grue, Edna Dahlke, Martha Johnson, Florence Hopper; great-grandson Cully Kuhl.
Survived by his loving wife Wanda, Fosston. Children Debra (Edward) Shellum, Elk River; Sheryl (Glenn) Rettmann, Gonvick; Paul (Lois) Rydeen, Clearbrook; Carl (Elizabeth) Rydeen, Little Falls. Grandchildren Jessica (Carl) Kuhl, Lindsey Rettmann, Thor (Heidi) Shellum, Brigitta (Peter) Bergquist, Claire (Chad Patel) Rydeen, Joseph (Kaitlyn) Rydeen, Justis Rydeen, Samuel Rydeen, 10 great-grandchildren and one sister, Lucille (LeRoy) Aasland, Bemidji.
A memorial service for Reuben will be held May 10, at 11 a.m., Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Clearbrook.
Visitation starting at 10 a.m. The service will be livestreamed on Facebook: Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Clearbrook, MN. Burial will take place after the service at Augustana Cemetery.
Memorials preferred to Clearbrook American Legion Post 256, Clearwater County Agricultural Society or Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Clearbrook.