Samuel M. Ruge

NORFOLK — Services for Samuel M. Ruge, 68, Norfolk, will be at 4:30 p.m. Wednesday at Stonacek Funeral Chapel in Norfolk. The Rev. Travis Wright will officiate. Private burial services will be at a later date. Military rites will be conducted by the U.S. Navy, American Legion Post 16, VFW Post 1644 and the American Legion Riders. Visitation will be 5-7 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral chapel. He died Friday, March 18, 2016, at Faith Regional Health Services in Norfolk. The son of Melvin and Marie (Faust) Ruge was born Jan. 5, 1948, at St. Edward. He graduated from Burns High School (Norfolk Catholic) in 1967. Sam served in the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam War from Feb. 26, 1965, to May 22, 1969. After retiring from the service, Sam lived and worked in Norfolk. He then moved to New Jersey before moving back to Norfolk in 1982. He married Caroline Hetrick on Aug. 2, 1982, in Yankton. After marriage, he worked with his father at Dugdale Beef Plant. In 1985, he started driving truck for Norfolk Iron & Metal for numerous years. In 1990, he then purchased and operated his own truck until retiring in 2005. Sam loved riding his Harley Davidson motorcycle, hunting and fishing. He loved cooking for all his friends and having a good time with them. No one ever left Sam and Caroline’s house hungry. Sam also loved his family and spending time with them, especially his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He always made sure they were happy and well taken care of. He was a member of the Eagles Club and Sacred Heart Parish. Survivors include his spouse, Caroline Ruge of Norfolk; his children, Tina Miranda of Lewisville, Texas, Kendra and spouse Bo Bennett of Tyler, Texas, Benjamin Ruge of Lincoln, Lynette and spouse George Likakis of Hazlett, N.J., Dana and spouse Carrie Moore of Battle Creek; his mother, Marie Ruge of Norfolk, three brothers, Ronald Ruge, and wife Barbara, of Oakland Park, FL; Timothy G. Ruge, and wife, Jean, of Plainview, NE; James Ruge, of Norfolk, NE; and one sister, Shirley Schiffbauer, and husband, Robert, of Lincoln, NE. 14 grandchildren and a great-grandchild; and numerous nieces, nephews and his many friends. He was preceded in death by his father, Melvin Ruge. Casketbearers will be Benjamin Ruge, Tim Ruge, Jim Ruge, Ron Ruge, Rick Lytle, Tom Mechaley, Joe Hastings, Chad Paulsen and Chuck Alder (God’s Angel). Music will be provided by guitarist and soloist, Dennis Lewchuck. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.stonacekfuneralchapel.com.

Tributes

Samuel M. Ruge

January 5, 1948 - March 18, 2016