Nelson Ruff

Nelson Norris Ruff, 83, passed away on Wednesday, September 25th at Kansas City Hospice House surrounded by his family. A Celebration of Life will be held at Tanners Grille at Red Bridge Shopping Center (Red Bridge Road and Holmes Road) on October 8th, 2024 from 2-4pm. Fond memories and condolences can be left online at www.vansant-millsfuneralhome.com.
Nelson was born in Kansas City, Missouri to Nate and Ruth Ruff and spent his youth in the Waldo/Brookside area and graduated from Southwest High School and the University of Missouri. On the first football weekend of his freshman year, he met his best friend and future wife, Lee Ann Bradley Ruff. He was a member of the Sigma Chi Fraternity at Mizzou and was actively involved with them for most of his life.
After college Nelson enlisted in the US Air Force Reserves and spent six years at Richards Gebaur Air Force Base. Lee Ann and Nelson married on December 23,1962 and rarely spent more than a few days apart. They had two children, Michael N. and Thomas B. and lived in South Kansas City their entire lives.
Nelson began his career working at IBM Corporation, however he gravitated into sales and worked Josten's yearbooks, Perfect School Plan, and finally landed with QSP as District Manager in 1985 working mostly with Junior High Schools on their fundraising efforts. Along the way he won several awards and trips. Nelson retired from QSP in 1999.
Nelson and his family spent many fun-filled weekends at their lake house in Gravois Mill, Missouri in the Ozarks. Some of their most memorable moments were at the lake with his family. Not only was Nelson a wonderful father,but he was also an exceptional grandfather to his five grandchildren. He spent more time with them than most and responded to their every need. They loved him dearly.
Nelson had many interests. He was a strong lover of animals and a proponent of animal welfare. He donated to several animal rescue and welfare agencies. He and Lee Ann owned five dachshunds during their lifetime. Some other favorites of Nelson were chocolate chip cookies, coca cola, sprite, KC BBQ, Lake of the Ozarks and his farm property in Calhoun, Missouri. Nelson spent many hours coaching his sons' little league teams from T-Ball to flag football. He was also a huge music fan listening to the Eagles, Bob Seger, and Fleetwood Mac among others. Nelson belonged to the Masonic Lodge of Kansas City and was a member of the Broadway Methodist Church, serving on the Finance Committee for many years.
Nelson leaves behind his wife of 62 years and is survived by his two loving sons, Michael and Tom Ruff, his devoted daughter-in-law, Jennifer Michael Ruff, his sister-in-law, Gail Bradley Dwyer who was more like a sister and he was more like a brother, and five precious grandchildren, Ryan, Jake, Liam, Gabie, and Katerina(Kat).
Special thanks to the Medical Providers and nursing staff at the St Luke's Hospital Neuroscience department and the NeuroICU(4th floor) for their excellent and loving care of Dad during his inpatient stay. Your care of him like your own family member did not go un-noticed.
Additional thanks to the Kansas City Hospice for your loving care to Nelson during his stay.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Vansant-Mills Funeral Home in Clinton, Missouri.