Delmer Ruhland

DELMAR JOSEPH RUHLAND December 13, 1927 - October 13, 2014 Delmar Joseph Ruhland, age 86, of Park Rapids, MN, formerly of Bemidji, MN, peacefully joined his beloved wife, Marian in Heaven, just 8 days following her entrance to eternity, on Monday, October 13, 2014 at the Heritage Cottage in Park Rapids. Delmar was born on December 13, 1927 in Morton, MN to Michael and Kate Ruhland. He grew up on his parent's farm in the Minnesota River Valley near Morton. He graduated from the Morton Public High School with the Class of 1946. After graduating, Delmar gained employment working at a local service station as an auto mechanic. On June 25, 1951, he was united in marriage to Marian Helen Roberts at St. Johns Catholic Church in Morton. Their marriage was blessed with one daughter, Michelle. On Jan. 2, 1948, Delmar enlisted in the United States Air Force where he served during the Korean War on an Air Force Base in Morocco, working as an aviation mechanic. He also served working on aircraft at the Hahn Air Force Base in Germany. In the late 1950's, Delmar worked as a technician on the Titan Missile Program. The air force then sent Delmar to the Vandenberg AFB in Lompoc, CA where he was assigned to work on the Minute Man Missle Project. Later he was asked to serve as a liason between the Boehing Aircraft Company and the U.S. Air Force. In 1967, Delmar was selected to host tours on missle silos for the President of the Phillipine Islands and and the Argentine Chief of Staff. Stateside, Delmar has served at air force bases in California, Texas, Illinois, Arizona, Colorado and Grand Forks, North Dakota. He retired from the Air Force after an accomplished 27 year career which earned him several Air Force Commendation Medals, with the rank of Master Sargeant in 1975. He had attended the Allen Hancock College earning his Associates degree in 1961 and received his degree in business from Bemidji State University in 1978. Delmar and Marian moved to Park Rapids where he worked as a shop assistant in the Park Rapids High School. In the late 1970's, Delmar began a career working with the Hubbard County Day Activity Center in Park Rapids. In the early 1980's, he was asked to take over the administration of the Beltrami County DAC which he led until his retirement in the late 1990's. Being such a social person, he quickly grew bored in retirement and began a new challenge as one of the hospitality coordinators for Dondelinger Chevrolet in Bemidji. He also served as Dondelinger's chef for their many fundraising meals for the United Way. Delmar enjoyed working in these positions until moving to Park Rapids in 2005. During his retirement years, he devoted himself to lovingly see to Marian's every need as she suffered from alzheimers. Throughout his life time, Delmar loved the out doors and especially enjoyed fishing with his family. He also loved teaching his grandchildren how to play cribbage and treating them to root beer floats. Delmar enjoyed working with his wife in making trivots and plant stands which they would give away. He also enjoyed creating building block sets for area children. He was a long time faithful member of St. Phillips Catholic Church in Bemidji. He always enjoyed taking "scenic" drives with his grand daughter, Amanda during which they would enjoy having long chats. Delmar will be long remembered for his devotion to his family and for his love for people. Delmar will be lovingly remembered by his daughter, Michelle and son-in-law, Tim Yliniemi of Park Rapids; his grand daughter, Amanda Yliniemi of Osage, MN; brother and sister-in-law, Jim (Mary Jane) Ruhland of Texas; two sisters-in-law: Evelyn (Ray) Visser of Champlin, MN and Lucy (Tom) Bauman of TX and brother-in-law, Bill (Linda) Roberts of WI; as well as several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife, Marian; his grandson, Delmar in 2004; his parents; two sisters: Eileen (Ray)Sindelair and Mary Helen Eickoff and her husband, John and son, Lloyd who were all killed in a tragic car accident and his brother, George (Delores) Ruhland.