James Ruff Obituary

James Stanley Ruff, 87, of Lehr, ND, passed away at South Central Health in Wishek, ND, on October 20, 2025, the day of his 87th birthday.

James was born in Lehr to Henry and Annie (Werre) Ruff on October 20, 1938. He attended country school and Lehr Public School until 8th Grade when he began working on his father's farm and participating in off-farm work with Haggart Construction laying pipe, closing ditches, and setting poles for a telephone line.

On June 5, 1960, James married Kathleen Boschee, daughter of Andrew and Esther Boschee of Lehr. They had three daughters: Vicki, Marjory, and Angela. They resided on the Ruff family homestead northwest of Lehr where they raised beef cattle and milked holsteins. Their milking production was brought to a drastic halt in August 1974 when a tornado struck the farm and destroyed nine buildings, including the barn. Fortunately, the homes were left untouched.

James's farming operation included raising a number of grains: wheat, durum, oats, and flax. In 1976, James ventured into new territory when he started growing sunflowers and corn as cash crops. His confidence in the sunflower industry led him to sell seed for Sigco Research, which became Mycogen Seeds in 1996.

To supplement income, James and Kathleen hauled oats to the Thoroughbred breeders in Idaho from 1968-1982. On their return they brought a truckload of superior quality apples from the Symms Fruit Ranch in Caldwell and sold them to area grocery stores, schools, nursing homes, neighbors, and relatives.

From 1962-1974 James installed furnaces for Ruff Oil Company of Lehr. In 1978 he purchased the company's inventory and started Ruff's Heating Installation and Service. Until 2022 he served the rural communities of Ashley, Edgeley, Gackle, Kulm, Lehr, Streeter, Venturia, and Wishek.

Following a brief bout with liver cancer, Kathleen passed away on January 13, 1996. On December 6, 2003, James married Donna Schuler-Perman. They resided on the Ruff farm until October 2023.

During his early life James enjoyed camping, fishing, and bowling. Throughout his life he was involved in numerous clubs and organizations, including Ebenezer Baptist Church, Wishek First Baptist Church, Lehr School Board, Logan County FHA Board, Job Development Authorization (JDA), Lehr 100th Centennial Committee and Dakota Heartland Champion Community (DHCC). He felt strongly about and devoted considerable time and energy to the Lehr Lions Club, where he was a member for 47 years, 1978 - 2025. During his years he served in many local and state roles, including Lions 5NC District Governor from 2009-10. James and Donna enjoyed traveling and camping and setting up their Pampered Chef, Eden Pure Heaters or Water Wise Distillers at the surrounding small neighboring town Fall or Christmas Vendor Fairs. They also actively participated in Lion We Serve Projects, including local food pantry, community blood drives, and fund raising for the Beaver Lake State Park sign, evergreen trees, and playground equipment.

James's loving family includes the following: his wife Donna of Wishek, children Vicki (Paul) Murphy of St. Paul, MN, Marjory (Richard) Bubach of Minot, ND, and Angela (Dean) Bancroft of Colorado, Springs, CO; grandchildren Erin and Jeffery Cash of Rosiclaire, IL, Meagan and Nicholas Taylor of Edina, MN, Jonas (Tatum) Bubach of Malibu, CA, Benjamin Bancroft of Milton, FL, Elizabeth Bancroft of Boulder, CO, and great grandchild Theodore Cash. Step children include Carmen (Neil) Nicholson of Dawson, ND, Stacy (Rick) Bader of Lehr, ND, Jill (Rob) Balzer of Streeter, ND; step grandchildren Chris and (Julia) Nicholson of Kintyre, ND, Thomas Nicholson of Steele, ND, Amanda & (Brian) Zimmerman of Bismarck, ND, Wesley & (Kelsey) Nicholson of Dawson, ND, Norman & (Lydia) Nicholson of Pettibone, ND, Mary & (Tyrell) Kalberer of Hazelton, ND, Jenna & (Peter) Wang of Fort Stewart, GA, Daniel Nicholson of Mandan, ND, Ryan Nicholson of Dawson, ND, Brock Nicholson of Kintyre, ND, Grace Nicholson of Mandan, Elliana Nicholson of Dawson, ND, Seth Nicholson of Dawson, ND. Chase & (Claire) Bader of Wahpeton, ND, Savanna Bader of Fargo, ND, Claire Bader of Lehr, ND, Robbie Balzer of Crown Butte, ND, Cole Balzer of Bismarck, ND, Sophie Balzer, of Bismarck, ND., and 20 great grandchildren Ivy, Flint, Lainee, Shaye & Rhen Nicholson of Kintyre, Denali, Tytan, Alettra & Sage Zimmerman of Bismarck, Oliver, Isaiah, Sawyer, Greyson, Walker & Elijah Nicholson of Dawson, ND, Blake, Logan & Grant Nicholson of Pettibone, ND, Tassie & Tellan Kalberer of Hazelton, ND. Brothers-in-law, Larry and (Carol) Schuler, Santa Ynez, CA, Donald (Sarge) and (Nettie) Schuler, Fargo, ND and Galen (Fred) Schuler, Ringgold, GA.

James was preceded in death by his parents, first wife, brothers Morris and Alden, and step grandson Dillan Bader.

The Funeral Service and Fellowship will be held at Wishek First Baptist Church on Saturday, November 1, at 10:30a.m. Interment will follow at the Lehr Cemetery at 1:30p.m. A livestream of James service will be available on the Wishek First Baptist Church Facebook page.

Memorials are preferred to Service Dogs for America in Jud, ND, or to Wishek First Baptist Church.