Clara Ruff

July 19, 1941 – January 31, 2018

Clara Ruff passed away peacefully at Banner Baywood Hospital on January 31, 2018, due to complications from pneumonia.

Clara was born on July 19, 1941 in Oakes North Dakota. She called Rapid City, South Dakota home in the summer and spent sunny winters as a snowbird in Mesa, Arizona.

Clara fondly recalls love at first sight when she met Lloyd Ruff at a barn dance. They were married on April 12, 1958 and spent 59 happy years together. They were blessed with six children: Steven, Susan, Cindy, Jim, Lori, and Kim. Lloyd and Clara raised their family on the Ruff Family Farm in Edgeley, North Dakota. During the years of raising their family, she truly enjoyed supporting all the activities her children participated in. In 1977, they packed the family up and moved to Bowman, North Dakota to begin a new adventure in the motel business. This turned out to be an extremely successful endeavor as they continued the business for 34 years until their retirement in 2011. Even though those years were very busy, she still found time to travel. She toured Europe with her sister Marge Fadness, went to Alaska and Mexico, visited friends in Canada, and many more. She loved traveling with friends and family.

Clara’s many joys included: spending time with Lloyd and the family, entertaining, crocheting, playing cards, reading, cooking, storytelling, Story Telling, and STORY TELLING. Her newfound passion was binge-watching Netflix (We cannot make that up!)

Clara was welcomed into heaven by her granddaughter Jessica Ridl. She is survived by Lloyd Ruff, Steven Ruff, Susan and Jim Ridl, Cindy Ruff and Robin Schamber, Jim and Gayl Ruff, Lori Ruff, Kim Bahr and Vern Burress. Clara is also survived by eight grandchildren: Andrea Jackson, Josh and Jared Ridl, Bailey, Miranda, and Hally Ruff and, Breyden and Kade Bahr. Seven great grandchildren, Shayden, AJ, and Beau Jackson, Ellie, Reese, and Brekan Ridl and Jessica’s son Tristan Ridl; all will carry on her great legacy. Her family and friends will hold a celebration of her life on Saturday February 3, 2018 in the Mesa home she loved so much.

There will an additional celebration of life luncheon on February 17, 2018 at Woodlands Receptions 13121 Lincoln Tarken Ln., Piedmont, South Dakota 57769 from 12:30-2:30 pm. In lieu of flowers or gifts, please send all memorial gifts to Shriners Temple at 4091 Sturgis Road, Rapid City, South Dakota 57702, on her behalf. She loved NaJa Shriners because of their work with children and the great care they gave her grandson, Breyden Bahr when he was young.