Robert Orville Ruehling

Robert Orville Ruehling, age 78, of Belle Plaine, formerly of Le Sueur, passed away on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at The Lutheran Home in Belle Plaine. A Memorial Service for Bob will take place on Friday, May 1, 2026, at St. John Lutheran Church in Belle Plaine at 11:00 A.M. with Rev. Sherri Otto, officiating. Visitation will take place 2 hours prior to the service at the church.

Bob was born on May 9, 1947, in Shakopee to Orville and Dolores (Laabs) Ruehling. He grew up in Belle Plaine and attended Le Sueur-Henderson and Belle Plaine schools. Bob married Darlene Johnson (Lueck) on July 25, 1992. They made their home in Le Sueur until recently moving back to Belle Plaine. Bob drove a milk truck for 40+ years, owned and operated Bob’s Bar in Belle Plaine for 10 years, and drove school buses for Belle Plaine and Le Sueur-Henderson school districts for 14 years.

In his free time, Bob enjoyed time with family, fishing and hunting trips, bowling, and camping trips to various resorts around Minnesota, and dinner dates.

Bob is survived by his wife, Darlene; children, Dan Ruehling (Anne Karl) of Belle Plaine, Wayne Ruehling of Sun City, CA, Jean (Pete) Lundborg of Belle Plaine, and Jody (Terry) Fahey of New Prague; stepchildren, Tina (Jim) Soller, of Belle Plaine Julie (Kevin) La Tour of Le Sueur, and Jackie (Dan) Eckblad of St. Peter; 10 grandchildren; 20 great grandchildren with 3 additional great grand babies due soon; 10 step grandchildren; and 8 step great grandchildren.

Survived by siblings, Larry Ruehling of Belle Plaine, Dale and Deb Ruehling of Nisswa, Diane Culbert of Mitchell, SD, Shirley Steinborn of Hendeson, and Paul and Amy Ruehling of Green Isle; many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

He is preceded in death by his parents; brother Glenn Ruehling; brother-in-law, Gary Culbert; nephew Chad Culbert; father-in-law, Otto Lueck; mother-in-law Georgia Braunwarth and husband Clarence; brothers-in-law, Larry Lueck, James & Jerold Lueck, and Steven Lueck; sister-in-law, Bertha Barnes; and niece Danna.