Ruben Mehlhaff

Clergy
Rev. Jim Bartsch
Music
Organist ~ Sharon Orth
Soloist ~ Verlin Buchholz
“All is Well With My Soul”
Special Music ~ Johnny Cash
“I’ve Got Jesus”
Congregational Hymns
“How Great Thou Art”
“What a Friend We Have in Jesus”
Casketbearers
Mark Mehlhaff, Justin Mehlhaff, Jason Mehlhaff,
Brian Mehlhaff, John Mehlhaff, Jack Mehlhaff,
David Mehlhaff, and Jeremy Mehlhaff
Ruben John Mehlhaff was born on March 1, 1930 to David and Sophia (Holzwarth) Mehlhaff on the family farm 3.5 miles northeast of Kaylor, South Dakota. He attended country school through the 8th grade. On March 5, 1950, he was united in marriage to Olga Fischer at Grace Lutheran Church in Menno, SD. Together they moved to the west coast where Ruben worked in a furniture factory. After awhile, they moved to Whitewood, SD where Ruben worked as a logger and miner at Homestake Mine. For a time, he also served as the Whitewood Deputy Sheriff. They then moved back to the family farm in rural Kaylor where they farmed. Ruben also owned and operated Mehlhaff Construction until his retirement.
Ruben loved music and played the drums in a band and at local nursing homes. Throughout his life, he accumulated many music albums. He also enjoyed photography and took many pictures. He would then create picture slide shows for the family gatherings. Ruben was a kind man who loved talking to each and every one he met. When on vacations, he would take the lesser traveled roads and stopped to chat with people along the way.
Ruben passed away on Thursday, August 8, 2019 at the Good Samaritan Society of Scotland having attained the age of 89 years, 5 months, and 7 days.
He is survived and remembered by his wife of nearly 70¬¬ years, Olga Mehlhaff of Scotland, SD; children: James (Deb) Mehlhaff of Kaylor, SD and Larry (Kay) Mehlhaff of Tripp, SD; grandchildren: Mark (Nicole) Mehlhaff, Jeremy Mehlhaff, Shana (Sean) Kruger, Justin (Jenna) Mehlhaff, Jason (Justice) Mehlhaff, Brian (Tracey) Mehlhaff, Tiffany Mehlhaff, Laura Chapel, Zachary (Kaisa) Winckler, and Molly Fitzmaurice; great-grandchildren: Leah Mehlhaff, Jenna Kruger, Darrica Amundson, Jayda Amundson, Eli Mehlhaff, Ethan Mehlhaff, Asher Mehlhaff, Aiden Mehlhaff, Aurora Mehlhaff, Adam Chapel, Sam Chapel, Suzy Chapel, Isaac Winckler, Eden Winckler, Luke Winckler, and Ruby Fitzmaurice; great-great-grandchild Josie Steiner; and brother Lawrence (Bonnie) Mehlhaff.
He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Clinton Mehlhaff, brothers-in-law Ervin Walz and Helmuth Fischer, sisters-in-law Marie Mehlhaff, Ruth Fischer, Lorentine Fischer, and parents-in-law Fred and Martha Fischer.
This obituary was written in loving memory by the family.