Verle Rueff

Verle Rueff, a lifelong farmer, devoted husband, proud father, grandfather, and great grandfather passed away at home on Saturday, February 28, in the arms of the family he loved so deeply.

Born in DeKalb, Illinois, Verle grew up in nearby Waterman, the youngest of four children born to Bernice (McCall) and Edward Rueff. His childhood was rooted on the DeKalb Ag farm on McGirr Road, where he first fell in love with farming and agriculture.

Verle graduated from Waterman High School in 1963, where he participated in basketball, track, and FFA. After graduation, he went to work at the DeKalb Ag warehouse on 6th Street in DeKalb. When he left in 1967 to begin his farming career in Waterman, his coworkers honored him with a party and affectionately called him the "Gentleman Farmer"

In August of 1967, Verle married the love of his life, Sandy (Pool). For 58 years, they built a life grounded in faith, hard work, laughter, and deep devotion to family. Together they were blessed with three children: Mark, Leann, and Scott.

Verle farmed alongside his brothers, Sheldon and Byron, on the Rueff farms just south of Waterman. Together they raised cattle and hogs and grew corn, soybeans, and wheat. One notable chapter came when the Rueff brothers won the bid to farm the land that would later become Shabbona State Park. They planted over 300 acres of wheat to prepare the property for development, and the straw from those fields was shared with local farmers and the newly constructed Route 88 Tollway Authority.

Farming was never simply an occupation for Verle, it was his calling and his stewardship. Even after being diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 2014, he continued farming for four more years.

In addition to farming, Verle served as a crop hail adjuster for Country Companies Insurance for more than 25 years. He genuinely loved working with farmers in the crop insurance business.

Verle was deeply woven into his community. He rarely missed Wednesday evening men's night at Indian Oaks Country Club, and he and Sandy bowled together in a couple's league in DeKalb for many years. He brought joy to children, and to himself, by playing Santa at Waterman's annual Breakfast with Santa. And at 6:00 a.m. on weekday mornings, you could find him at the Country Kitchen in Shabbona, sitting at the counter with fellow farmers, coffee in hand, talking about crops, weather, and life.

Verle loved to laugh. He had a gift for telling jokes, and he and his friends could sit for hours swapping stories and planning creative pranks that required both patience and imagination. He found joy in simple things, early mornings, loyal friendships, and time spent with family.

Above all, Verle was a devoted father. He loved watching his children compete, perform, and grow. He rarely missed a game, concert, or special event. No matter how busy he was, he showed up. His children always knew they could look into the stands and find him there. When it came to his family, he would not miss a moment.

Verle was preceded in death by his parents, Bernice (McCall) Rueff and Edward Rueff; his father in-law and mother in-law, John and Rosella (Holmes) Pool; his brother in-law, Jon Pool; his sister in-law, Janet Rueff; and his brother in-law, James Suddeth.

He is survived by his beloved wife, Sandy Rueff; his children, Mark (Deann) Rueff of Katy, Texas; Leann (Chris) Young of Lynchburg, Virginia; and Scott (Angela) Rueff of Paw Paw, Michigan; his grandchildren, Emily Rueff (31); David (28) (Hannah) Rueff; Courtney (25) (Andrew) Gunnett; Hannah Young (25); Alex Rueff (23); Piercen Young (22); Matthew Rueff (22); and Jake Rueff (22); his great-grandson, Beckham Rueff (15 months); his siblings, Kathleen Suddeth, Sheldon (Joyce) Rueff, and Byron Rueff; his sister in-law, Lana (Spence) Mack; and numerous nieces and nephews.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Shabbona Community Church on Saturday, March 14. Visitation will take place from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., with the Celebration of Life service immediately following. A dinner will follow, and all are welcome to join in fellowship as family and friends gather to honor and celebrate Verle's life.