Clifford "Norman" Ruble

On Saturday, November 14, 2015 the world lost an amazing man, husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend. Clifford "Norman" Ruble, born March 31, 1931, age 84, passed away of natural causes while staying with his wife of 60 years at Riverside Health Care Center.
Cliff was born to Clifford and Dagmar Ruble in Albert Lea, MN. While growing up on the dairy farm he learned strong work ethic. He graduated from Albert Lea High School on June 6, 1949. He enlisted in the Navy and gained honorable discharge. Cliff was proud to be a Navy Chief of 22 years and worked hard serving his country. Cliff married Joyce Ann Brand on March 20, 1955 at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, in Hollandale, Minnesota. While he was serving in the Navy, he traveled all over the Pacific Ocean while the family lived mainly in San Diego, CA. Cliff, Joyce, and family moved to Bonner, MT in January of 1971. While there, he worked for Champion Lumber Company, Bonner, MT. He officially retired in 1986 to enjoy Montana living to the fullest. Cliff and Joyce lived up the Blackfoot on Rainbow Bend for 34 years, before moving into Missoula in 2005.
Cliff will be remembered for his many passions. Snowmobiling, bowling, hunting, family game time, fishing on the Blackfoot River, gardening, wood working, playing pinochle and cribbage were activities Cliff enjoyed most. He and Joyce were actively involved with the Snow-goers and Drift-riders Snowmobile Clubs, the Missoula Cribbage Club, and Pinochle Clubs at the Senior Citizen Community Centers in both Missoula and Seeley Lake, MT. They also enjoyed participating in two bowling leagues at Westside Lanes.
Up until the last few days of his life, he was still playing family members in the game of cribbage and winning. He shared cribbage with many and taught family members as young as his great-grandson, now 11. He frequently attended basketball and baseball events along with school concerts and recitals for his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He took pride in his family and wanted the very best for them. He often would call just to check-in to see how they were doing.
Cliff is survived by his wife Joyce Ruble, his sister Phyllis "Fifi" Hendrickson of Albuquerque, NM, his daughter Dee Ann (Herb) Ellis, of Choteau, MT, son Clifford Allen Ruble of Missoula, MT, son Daniel (Susan) Ruble of Cedar Rapids, IA, grandchildren Brodie (Erin) Ellis of Missoula, Corinne Ellis of Seattle, WA, Wyatt Ellis of Payson, AZ, Bonnie, Matthew, and Christopher Ruble of Cedar Rapids, IA and great-grandchildren, Hayden and Natalie Ellis of Missoula, MT as well as, sister-in-law Janice Ruble of Albert Lea, MN, sister and brother-in-law Janice (Brand) and Keith Klinksiek of Elmore, MN, brothers-in-law Warren VanRiper of Albert Lea, MN and Darwin Knudtson of Geneseo, IL, and many nieces, nephews and a host of long-time friends. He is preceded in death by his father and mother Clifford and Dagmar, and brothers Glen (Maureen), Elton, and David Ruble, as well as in-laws Theodore and Margaret Brand, brothers-in-law George "Bud" Hendrickson, Teddy Brand, sisters-in-law Elgene VanRiper and Rita Knudtson and nephew David Knudtson.
A service is scheduled for Saturday, December 19, 2015 at 2:00pm at Garden City Funeral Home in Missoula, MT. In lieu of flowers, please make donations in honor of Clifford Ruble to American Legion, Post 27, 825 Ronan Street, Missoula, MT 59801.
Condolences and memories may be left for the family at www.missoulafuneralhomes.com

Read Clifford Ruble's Obituary and Guestbook on www.missoulafuneralhomes.com.