Obituary: Paul Joseph Ruediger

A memorial service for Paul Joseph Ruediger, 59, longtime St. John resident, will be at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 5, at the St. John United Methodist Church. He died Aug. 14, 2015 at the Whitman Health & Rehabilitation Center in Colfax.

Born Aug. 21, 1955, in Stevens Point, Wis., to Albert F. & Mary P. Torzewski Ruediger, he grew up in Wisconsin and graduated from Stevens Point High School in 1973. Shortly after, his family moved to Monroe, Wash., where his parents owned and operated a lumber mill. Paul worked as a general laborer in a variety of jobs including at his parents’ cheese factory in Wisconsin and the mill in Monroe. He worked as a farmhand for Ray Honn, and married Sandra Honn in 1979. They had two children. That marriage later ended.

Paul collected and displayed model trains, was an avid reader and loved all things musical. He played the mandolin.

Surviving are his son Elijah (Rudy) Ruediger, Anderson, S. C .; daughter Naomi Ruediger (Brian) Mackey, Albany, Ore .; four grandchildren, and seven siblings.

Memorial contributionsare suggested to go the St. John EMTs or the Friends of the St. John Library. Online condolences:

http://www.bruningfuneralhome.com