Mardelle Jean Rueber

Mardelle Rueber, age 87, of Pine Island, passed away on Thursday, August 22, 2024, at the Cottagewood Senior Living Community. 

Mardelle Jean Wessman was born April 9, 1937, in Minneapolis, Minnesota to Bertil and Eleanora (Engen) Wessman. She lived in Minneapolis until she completed the 6th grade. Her family then moved to the Askov/Sandstone, Minnesota area. Following graduation from Askov High School in 1955, she attended Saint Paul Bible Institute for one year, where she had the privilege of singing in the traveling choir. Mardelle then attended Swedish hospital school of nursing, graduating in 1959 with a Registered Nursing degree. 

She later did an independent study course to earn her BSN. Mardelle worked as an RN in various roles i.e..staff nurse, LPN educator, and nurse manager at St. Mary’s Hospital until her retirement in 1997. Following that retirement, she was employed part time at Pine Haven Care Center, retiring from there in 2009. Mardelle and Kenneth Rueber were married on June 25, 1960, at the Covenant Church in Rochester, Minnesota.

Mardelle’s pride and joy was involvement with her children and grandchildren, often taking them along on road trips, or camping at fairs and festivals. She treasured babysitting and attending school events. Mardelle was also keen on keeping up with the college stories of progress, etc.. Mardelle and Kenneth appreciated getting away to Texas in the winter, often enjoying several weeks away from the cold weather in Minnesota.

Mardelle is survived by her husband Kenneth. Two sisters Ann Eickmann, Darlene (Dave) Henderson. Three children, Sherril Waller, Steve (Tallie) Rueber, and Connie (Jacob) Peterman; four grandchildren, Zachary (Theresa) Waller, Jessica (Vince) Rueber, Anthony (William) Vallejo, Shelby (Ben) Rueber; three great grandchildren, Olivia, Savannah, and Emmett. She was  preceded in death by her parents, Bertil and Eleanora Wessman, and daughter Karen Lohmann (Vallejo).

The memorial service will be at 11:00 am Saturday, August 31 at United Methodist Church in Pine Island, with Pastor Tony Fink officiating. Visitation will be Friday, August 30 at Mahn Family Funeral Home – Rochester Chapel from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. and one hour prior to the service at the church. Online condolences are welcome and may be shared at mahnfamilyfuneralhome.com.