Thomas “Tom” Ruhland died peacefully at his Eden Valley home Wednesday, Aug. 18, 2021, surrounded by his loving family. He was 87. 
Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 21, at St. Anthony Catholic Church in Watkins with Rev. Aaron Nett and Rev. Tony Hesse officiating. Burial will be in the Assumption Cemetery in Eden Valley. Visitation will be from 4-8 p.m. Friday, and one hour prior to the service Saturday, at the church in Watkins. Parish prayers will begin at 4 p.m., with rosary at 8 p.m. Friday.
Thomas William Ruhland was born Feb. 19, 1934, in Eden Valley to Leander and Lucy (Westrup) Ruhland. He attended school in Eden Valley before joining the Army where he served on a missile range in Virginia. After his military service, he attended school in Chicago then moved to Minneapolis where he met Mary Ann Heaney. They were married in St. Peter Catholic Church in Eden Valley Feb. 7, 1959. Over the next 40 years, Tom and Mary Ann owned a gas station in Rush City and a rest home in Eden Valley (where they taught their children the values of care and compassion). Tom worked with his friend Bert for the Surge company, established the Eden Valley Rental Company with Linus, George and Bob, ran a hardware store with his brother George, and worked at Dingmann’s Eden Valley Funeral Home. During this time, Tom volunteered in the REC (Residents Encountering Christ) program, helping to bring the incarcerated to God. In these ways, he modeled and passed along a strong sense of faith and work ethic to his children.
When they retired in 2000, Tom and Mary Ann joined the Nomads which took them through southern states renovating houses for those in need. After 10 years, they settled in the McAllen area of Texas for the winter months and began working with Catholic Charities helping immigrant families.
Tom sang with the Litchfield Area Male Chorus, was a Trustee for Assumption Catholic Church, and a member of the American Legion. He greatly supported family trips for his kids and grandchildren to the Black Hills, Yellowstone, Washington, D.C., and Branson. He loved to play cards and other games, fish, hunt, tend his garden, tell stories, and help others. He had a witty, dry sense of humor that lives on in all of his children.
Tom was preceded in death by his parents; sisters Kay (and George) Olson, Judy (and Gene) McCann, Evelyn, and Margaret; and his brothers Ralph and Larry.
He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Mary Ann Ruhland; children Jeff (and Tere) Ruhland, Roch (and Gail) Ruhland, Joe (and Marcie) Ruhland, Robert (and Rhonda) Ruhland, Coletta (and Allan) Wortz, Peter (and Kathy) Ruhland, Paul (and Rose) Ruhland, and Beth (and William) Hesse; 30 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren; sisters-in-law Rosie Becker and Barb Ruhland.
Memorials may be sent to Assumption Catholic Church (464 State St N, Eden Valley MN 55329) for masses, or to the Capuchin Poor Clare Nuns (725 E Bowie Ave, Alamo TX 78516). Arrangements are with Williams Dingmann Family Funeral Home.