David Lee Ruge

PIERCE -- Funeral service for David L. Ruge, age 69, of Pierce, will be held at 11:00 a.m., Friday, September 5, 2025 at Zion Lutheran Church, Pierce. Officiating the service will be Reverend Leon Rosenthal. Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. to service time on Friday at Zion Lutheran Church in Pierce, NE. Interment will be at Prospect View cemetery rural Pierce, NE. David passed away on Sunday, August 31, 2025 at Faith Regional Health Services in Norfolk, NE. Stonacek Memorial Chapel in Pierce is in charge of arrangements. David L. Ruge was born October 17, 1955 in Norfolk, NE. He was the youngest of four children born to Walter and Beata (Kortje) Ruge. He grew up on a farm northeast of Pierce and he attended country school District 60 and then Pierce High School graduating in 1974. David helped his dad on the farm as he was growing up. David was baptized and confirmed at Zion Lutheran Church in Pierce, NE. Around 1976 David and his brother Delbert started working at the Norfolk Livestock Sale Barn where he worked for 30 years. Later he worked for Pizza Hut in Norfolk delivering pizzas. He loved that even though he had health issues with his legs which made it more difficult. David loved football and in years past, he could be seen on Friday nights at the Pierce Bluejay football games, sitting on the top bleacher cheering for Pierce. He loved to play cards, mostly sheephead and five point pitch, and going fishing. He enjoyed family gatherings and all the food. But there was a lot of foods he thought he wouldn’t like, so he wouldn’t even try no matter how much you encouraged him to take a bite. One of his favorites foods was cherry pie. David struggled with health issues and mobility in recent years. He had been a resident of Accura the Pierce Nursing Home, for the past six months. David is survived by his sister Doris (Marvin) Wragge of Pierce, Delbert Ruge of Pierce, nieces and nephews Allen and Susan Rinkel, Kevin Wragge, Lori and Steve Davis all of Pierce, Michael and Kandace Ruge of Pound, Virginia. There are also many great nieces, nephews and cousins that were part of David’s life. He was preceded in death by his parents Walter and Beata Ruge, brother Kenneth Ruge and his wife Betty. Hymns for the service will be “What A Friend We Have In Jesus”, “Abide With Me”. Casket Bearers will be Allen Rinkel, Kevin Wragge, Branden Ruge, Ron Kortje, Tim Kortje, Steve Davis. Condolences may be expressed to the family on-line at www.stonacekfuneralchapel.com.

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David Lee Ruge

October 17, 1955 - August 31, 2025