Cecil Henry Rueter of Grand Junction died on Thursday, Nov. 26, 2020, at Greene County Medical Center in Jefferson. Cecil was born March 14, 1926, in Wabash, NE, to Henry and Emma (Diekman) Rueter. The family moved to Grand Junction when he was 7 years old.
Cecil graduated from Grand Junction High School in 1945. After high school he enlisted in the Army and served in Japan at the end of the Second World War. Following his service, he worked for the railroad in Chicago and eventually moved to California to sell real estate. Cecil moved back to Grand Junction and started his farm implement business in 1951, the same year he married Dorothy Dee Doran from Beaver, on Nov. 23, 1951.
Cecil was a selfless, hardworking and compassionate man. His wife was the love of his life and his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren his greatest pride.
Cecil’s love of people meant that many were touched by his warm and bright light and even the smallest interaction was likely to leave you feeling special or chuckling from his quick wit.
If one were looking for Cecil, a good place to start would be the store, in a machine, under a machine, on top of a machine or selling a machine. Other things to consider would be the ISU athletics schedule, projects on the golf course and if it were dinner time, Cecil cherished Dorothy’s cooking and company.
He had an affinity for nature and creating the golf course was a labor of love. You would rarely see him on the course unless he was working or welcoming and chatting with golfers.
He leaves behind four children, Kim (Gail) Rueter of Grand Junction, Karen (Richard) Derrick of Scottsdale, AZ, Terri (Hal) Nation of Fort Dodge, and Todd (Constance) Rueter of Ankeny; grandchildren Kyle and Sean Kenan, Andrew (Savannah) and Hannah Derrick, Nicholas (Julie) Nation, Anthony (Meghan) Nation, Jacqueline (James) Watters, Alex (Alexis) Rueter and Paige (Mehdi) Benlaala; great-grandchildren Sam, Henry, Jack and Everett Nation, William Nation, Julian Watters, Stella and Oliver Rueter, and Constance and Raphaelle Benlaala.
Cecil was preceded in death by his parents Henry and Emma, sisters and brother Gladys Blanshan, Wilma Snook, Vernon Rueter and Mildred Zenor.
He will be dearly missed and never forgotten by anyone who loved him.
There was a private service with family. Pastor Steve Ransom offered words of comfort. A United States Army honor guard conducted graveside military rites. In lieu of flowers, please donate to a charity of your choice.
Services by Slininger-Schroeder Funeral Home, Jefferson.
