Marvin R. Ruder, 93, Hays, died Monday, June 15, 2020 at the Hays Good Samaritan Society.
He was born April 14, 1927 in Hays, the son of Frank and Anna (Zimmerman) Ruder, and grew up on a small farm south of Hays until the family moved to town. He attended Ellis County School and graduated from Hays High School in 1945. On November 24, 1948 he was united in marriage to Helen Graf in Hays, and began building his family and career. They were married 53 years before she preceded him in death on March 3, 2002.
Throughout the next 35 years, Marvin successfully completed numerous degrees in automotive servicing, and was considered to be one of the top mechanics in his field, until his retirement. After retiring from automotive repair, Marvin taught himself electronics repair, and got so good he could fix almost anything. He earned the nickname, Mr. Fix-It. He was a member of Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church, the St. Mary’s Third Degree Knights of Columbus Council #6984, and the Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus Bishop Cunningham Assembly.
Survivors include four sons; Tom Ruder and wife Margorie of Wichita, Elmer Ruder of Julesburg, CO, Steven Ruder and wife Anita L. of Hays, Kevin Ruder and wife Julie of Phoenix, AZ, four daughters; Judith Herman and husband Jack of Cleveland, TX, Jeanne Billings and husband Dan of Garden City, Janel Befort and husband Bruce of Los Alamos, NM, and Jolene Cooper and husband Stan of Hays, two brothers; Vernon Ruder of Hays and Harold Ruder of Colorado, a sister; Norma Lee of Dodge City, 19 grandchildren, 21 great grandchildren, and 4 great-great grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife; Helen, a daughter-in-law; Karen Ruder, four brothers; Elmer J., Lester, Cyril, and Milton Ruder, and two sisters; Marietta Stecklein and Agnes Miller.
Mass of Christian burial will be at 10:00 am on Friday, June 19, 2020 at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church, with Fr. Nick Parker officiating. Burial will follow in the St. Joseph Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5:00 pm until 7:00 on Thursday and from 9:00 am until 9:45 on Friday, all at Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home. A vigil service will be at 6:30 pm followed by a combined third and fourth degree Knights of Columbus rosary, all on Thursday at the funeral home. The Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus will stand honor guard from 5:30 pm until 6:30. Memorials are suggested to the Cancer Council of Ellis County, in care of the funeral home. Condolences and memories of Marvin may be shared with the family at www.haysmemorial.com