Darrel Ruud

Darrel Ruud, 81, died on September 26, 2020 at Eventide on Eighth in Moorhead.

Darrel was born December 8, 1938, in Pelican Rapids, MN and lived there until after graduating high school in 1956. Darrel served in the U.S. Army Reserve for six years and then attended MSU in Moorhead earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology in 1963. He went on to teach for six years including positions in McIntosh and Wadena teaching science. After teaching, Darrel went on to work in the insurance industry and eventually landed as a field representative working primarily out of his home in Moorhead. Darrel was honored with awards for both excellence and performance in the insurance industry, but his greatest pleasure in work was combining his love of driving and of meeting people all over North Dakota, South Dakota, and northwestern Minnesota while visiting independent insurance agencies. Darrel retired in 2003 and he and his wife Gloria remained in Moorhead as he always said he loved living in Moorhead despite visiting many other places.

Darrel met Gloria, his wife and also a schoolteacher, and the two were married in Fertile, MN at Gloria’s home church on June 4, 1960. Darrel and Gloria were married for almost 60 years until her death earlier this year. In addition to being preceded in death by his wife, Darrel was preceded in death by two brothers-in-law, Floyd Schweer and John Lyden. He is survived by his three children, Nancy (Kevin) Hanson, Bemidji, MN, Kathy (Mike) Nordness, Fargo, ND, and Darin (Jodi) Ruud of Lakeville, MN; a granddaughter, Heather Nordness; and a step-grandson, Trevor Willert. He is also survived by his sisters, Lois Schweer, Bonnie Lyden, and Susan (Brad) Erickson, along with several nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Visitation for Darrel will be at Wright Funeral Home in Moorhead on Friday, October 9 at 12:00 pm with a funeral service beginning at 1:00 pm. Masks are required. Due to limitations on the number of attendees, a live-stream of the service will be available at 1:00 pm on Darrel’s page at www.wrightfuneral.com. Interment for both Darrel and Gloria will take place on Friday, June 18, 2021 at 2:00 P.M., at Evergreen Memorial Cemetery, Moorhead.

The family encourages you to consider making a contribution to your favorite charity in Darrel’s memory. The family would like to extend heartfelt thanks to Eventide and Ethos Hospice for their care.