Name: Visitation for Gary Cruff
Start: 2020-03-07T15:30:00.000Z
End: 2020-03-07T16:30:00.000Z
Location: West Funeral Home & Life Tribute Center - West Fargo

Gary LeRoy Cruff
May 10th 1935-February 28th 2020
Gary Cruff, 84, Kindred, ND passed away on Friday, February 28, 2020 at his home under the care of Hospice of the Red River Valley.
Gary Leroy Cruff was born May 10, 1935, in his aunt's house in Valley City, North Dakota, the third child of Clair and Murlie Cruff of Rogers, North Dakota. Gary attended Logan District 17 County School through the 8th grade and graduated from Valley City High school in 1953. Gary was drafted into the Army from January 1954 through Dec 1955. He was stationed in Kansas, Texas, and also Germany. While in Germany, he was detached to the 259th guided missile battalion. After his service in the Army, he lived in San Diego, California working for Rohr Aircraft from 1957 until 1959. In 1959, he returned to North Dakota and married Sandra Trader of Oriska, North Dakota. They lived in Valley City and he was employed at the Barnes County Coop creamery until he started work with ASCS in 1961. While employed with ASCS, they lived in Linton, West Fargo, and Leonard North Dakota. Gary retired from government service in 1994. He and Sandra then moved to Lake Sybil in Vergas, MN, where they lived in their new lake home. Gary was very active in the Sybil Lake Association and the Ottertail County Lake Association. He was also a board member on the Ottertail Soil Conservation district, and a board member on the Ottertail County Water plan. Gary was a proud member of the American Legion and VFW. In September of 2012 they moved to Kindred to be closer to family and help with their two youngest granddaughters.
Throughout his life, Gary was always active in public service with Jaycees, Boy scouts, Lions, and 4-H. He was always building and working on craft projects. He enjoyed building elaborate doll houses, and he took great pride in his yard and garden. Gary and Sandra celebrated 60 years of marriage in December of 2019.
Gary is survived by his wife Sandra (Trader); son Charles Cruff (Michelle) Oriska N.D., their children Cody Middelkamp (Ashley), Callie Cruff, and Cassidy Schroder (Austin); son Derek Cruff (Ladine), their children Audra Cruff, and Isabelle Cruff, along with three great grandchildren Leif, Astrid, and Cailyn, and two more on the way.
Gary was preceded in death by his parents (Clair and Murlie Cruff), two brothers (Kenneth and James Cruff), two sisters (Murlie Foreman, and Carol Kiser).
Memorial service will be Saturday, March 7, 2020 at 10:30 AM at West Funeral Home, West Fargo, ND with visitation one hour prior to the service. Final resting place will be at Vergas City Veterans Cemetery in Vergas, Minnesota, in the heart of Lake country at a later date.
West Funeral Home & Life Tribute Center
westfuneralhome.com

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Published by Valley City Times-Record from Mar. 1 to Mar. 8, 2020.

Memories and Condolences
for Gary Cruff

Sponsored by West Funeral Home & Life Tribute Center - West Fargo.

2 Entries

Eternal Friendship Remembrance Bouquet - VASE INCLUDED

a loved one

Sent Flowers

March 3, 2020

I'm wishing you and your family well in this time of adjustment.

Sandy, you were the influence that led me to be a reader of books from the VC library. I remember you reading during the commercials when watching TV and drinking pickle juice. I have a picture of you and others opening gifts at our wedding, when that was in vogue. You are wearing a hat, another style that has gone by the wayside.

After VCS we taught in ND before Mark earned his Masters. We moved to MO for his first U teaching while I finished my degree. The next year I taught in Knob Noster before we took jobs in Eau Claire. Then it was back to GF for Mark's doctorate. Our only child, Steve, was born that year and we returned to
Eau Claire where I subbed.

UND wanted to hire Mark. So it was back to Gf. I broke into EGF by tutoring part time first. I retired in 2008 after 36 years there. I remarried in 92 when Steve was in college majoring in music. Denis and I moved to Boulder two years where he worked as a builder. Of course I subbed again. Then it was back to EGF to finish my career there. By going to classes summers and after school I earned my Masters in English and math ed. from UND.

Since 2008 I have subbed in Fargo, mainly at Davies, until my vehicle was struck from behind. Last fall was the first time I wasn't in school since 1948. I still miss it.

Mom is in Mary Hill in Enderlin. Jim passed away in late Oct.
I had Mom for 10 years. Dave moved her from Fargo and is now handling her affairs.

Our son, Steve, is a musician. He has a studio in Colorado Springs and travels in colorado with a band and plays solo gigs. He also likes to make CD's. He was fortunate enough to play in Greece and Germany in the past few years. My only grandchild is his daughter, now 14.

Since I don't do social media I wanted to contact you now with an update. Best Wishes.

Janice Hendrickson Van De Kerckhove

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