Reuben Walter Jodsaas, loving husband, father, and a true caring man, passed away on May 13, 2015 and joined his loved ones who passed before him. He was born February 2, 1918 in Arena, ND to Christian and Anna Jodsaas. In 1924, the family moved to Lisbon, ND when Reuben was 6 years old along with his brothers Otto, Elvin, and Robert. His oldest brother, Walter, died during the diphtheria epidemic of 1913. He joined the North Dakota National Guard in 1939 and was called to active duty in April, 1941. He served with the 776 Tank Destroyer Battalion in North Africa, Italy, France and Austria during World War II and was awarded the Legion of Merit by order of General Dwight D. Eisenhower along with a Purple Heart. Following his discharge, he returned to Lisbon and continued his career as a mechanic. Later
In 1972, he moved to Colstrip, Montana and worked for Long Construction at the mine. He was active in the Masons, Shrine, and Colstrip Community Church. He worked tirelessly on behalf of crippled children to ensure care and comfort was provided for the children and their families.
He leaves behind his wife, Wilma, a daughter, Renee Hegel, six step-children, Gary Olson, Karen Fischer, Jeri Ostafin, John “Butch” Olson, Cathy Walby and Marlene Lattimore. A daughter, Rebecca, preceded him in death in 1991. He also leaves a niece, Darline and three nephews or his “boys,” Larry, Rayme and Lynn Jodsaas.
A memorial service will be held at the Colstrip Community Church on June 20, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. Internment at the Yellowstone National Veteran’s Cemetary will occur at a later date.
Service Schedule
Memorial Service
11:00 AM
Saturday June 20, 2015
United Community Church
408 Water Ave
Colstrip, MT 59323
Service Schedule
Memorial Service
11:00 AM
Saturday June 20, 2015
United Community Church
408 Water Ave
Colstrip, MT 59323
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Lloyd & Norma says
WE are sorry to hear of Reubens passing. We have lots of good memories with Reuben and Wilma. You are in our thoughts and prayers at this time.
Dan Wahlman says
Rest in Peace Uncle Jud. I will always remember how you let me win at cards when I was young and didn’t know any better. Love Dan & Kathy Wahlman and Family.
Darin Purkett says
Someplace is better with Reuben in it!!!
Jeri Ostafin says
Reuben Jodsaas was a true gentleman. He was a wonderful husband, great father, and best grandpa. In 47 years, we had many fun times: Deep-sea fishing at Westport, touring the 747 at Boeing, flying over Mt. St. Helens, the dinner train, Alaska cruise, and just spending time with the family. Jud, you are truly a staint. We love you!
Ron & Eleanor Swenson says
Reuben was a great friend and a brother Mason. We had great visits of our trip to Lodge in Forsyth. He was a devoted Shriner always trying to get kids help @ the Shrine Hospitals. Reuben is my mentor, I will miss him dearly.
Roy Anne says
Grandpa you will be so…soo….dearly missed. I remember sitting up late at night while you were getting ready to go to work, listening for the clock to chime 1:00am.. You would whistle and make us grandchildren laugh…and laugh.. Even when you were sick you would put a Fruit Loop cereal box on your head just to make us laugh.. I love you Grandpa, I loved flying in your airplane, driving the small cars around the airport and Bruce and Kent crashing…no one got hurt.. I remember the Clowns and parads that the Schriners held for the Children’s hospitals. YOU gave me a great childhood, esp on the long road trips in your beautiful cadi’s…I hope you are with God, he deserves you….I will always miss you Grandfather.
Rae Dean says
I agree with Roy Anne, the Shriners were great fun, the plane ride awesome and the road trips with the cousin’s crazy. I don’t know how you stayed so calm with us around, don’t ever remember you raising a voice to us. I don’t remember you saying too much either but your smile was comforting and we could tell you enjoyed having us around. Great-grandkids remember you too, Grandpa. Cole (10yrs) knows you were in WWII and he is fascinated with the history of it all. I remember when you brought all your WWII pictures down before your reunion and you talked about it a little, he would have LOVED to hear about it first hand, if only we weren’t so many miles away. And as Roy mentioned, you did have a thing with cereal because I remember you putting it in a glass (instead of bowl) with milk and told me to drink it…and I thought…geez, how clever is that! My kids didn’t think that when I showed them though. Uff Da…I will be miss YOU Grandpa, but I have great memories to cherish. Love you!
Janelle Loyning says
Rueben was a great man and a surrogate grandpa to our kids. One of the best neighbors EVER! We will miss you dearly Rueben.
Love,
Shawn, Janelle, Colton, Hailey and CHloe
Karen Fischer says
Jud was one of the most wonderful and caring persons I have ever met. He never raised his voice, although I’m sure there were times he had to bite his tongue to avoid it. He often said his grandchildren were a lovely and lively bunch. We all loved him and will greatly miss him. He was a huge part of our family for more than 47 years and we do realize how lucky we were to have had him as a father, grandfather, great grandfather and even a great great grandfather.
Thank you Jud for all the great memories
Jessie says
Rest in peace Grandpa. You were such a wonderful person, so patient and caring. As Karen said, you never raised your voice, got cross or said a bad word about anyone. The world could use more people like you! We were so blessed to have you in our family. I also loved the plane rides, looking at and talking about your WWII pictures & medals. I remember staying up late and watching the 1984 Olympics with you, making chocolate chip cookies, bowling, going to the park & seeing buffalo for the first time. Thank you for being such a great grandpa. You will be missed.
Shawn Fischer says
Grandpa,
I enjoyed spending summers with you and grandma as a kid. The time I spent in Montana with you will always be special to me. Love and miss you grandpa.
Marlene Lattimore says
Jud, I can remember when I was 16 and first met you. You teased me about asking you a question and if you waited for a little bit I would answer my own question:) You were the best thing to come along for Mom and our whole family. You were the stable, calm and peaceful one for all of us and your grandchildren and great grandchildren. I can remember all the times you got off work and drove back to ND, MN or WA for birthdays, graduations and family get together’s. You were even there when Bruce (your grandson) was born. I love you Jud, rest in peace, you deserve it!
Frank Arb says
“Grandpa was a true gentlemen. He liked to make things fun for everyone. The things that stand out to me are him turning off his VW beetle at the top of the hill on his way home and having the Bug stop right at his curb. I remember him helping Kent and I make tree forts whenever we came to visit. I remember the normally mild-mannered gentlemen getting furious at a car that passed between our car and another car while Grandpa was passing the other car on our way to Seattle. For about three seconds he gunned the Cadillac to chase after them, but he reverted to back to his normal self. All he could say was “you noticed they were young because they aren’t going to live long.” He was always helping at the church, and he had Kent and I help build an addition to the church one summer. He was a good man, and that’s the best anybody could say about you. God bless you, Grandpa! I’ll see you again some day.” from Bruce Lattimore
Bob & Diane Henriksen says
Wilma, so sorry to hear of Judd’s passing. He was a great man and will be greatly missed. May God and your faith bring you peace and comfort. Bob & Diane Henriksen
Dan & Mary Wahlman says
Jud is the last of our brothers-in-law, and will be missed. He will be remembered as a genuinely kind man, who demonstrated his love for his wife, Dan’s sister Wilma, in many ways. He was a true friend to everyone it seems. He loved flying his airplane and taking care of the airport, was active in his Shriners club and Masonic Lodge, and was always very patriotic. In other words, he was a living example for all his kids. Rest well dear Jud!
Raymond Walby says
Where do I start? Reuben (Jud as we referred to him for the last 47 years) was one of the greatest men I will ever know. I have so many memories of this man that I can reflect on, that I feel could possibly be transcribed into a novel. Our adventures through life consisted of cruises to Alaska, Germany, Russia, Sweden, Finland, Norway, Copenhagen and the White Sands of Dover!! My wife and I, his step daughter, Cathleen Walby, attended many of Jud’s and his wife Wilma’s (Cathleen’s mother) World War II reunions. The last one was attended by 6 that were left from his regiment a few years back in Minneapolis, MN. I feel I was very fortunate to know Jud and have the times we had together. I know he thought highly of his comrades he served with in battle for 550 and some odd days under attack. I know that his Desire was to be buried with his regiment south of Mandan from North Dakota. Unfortunately, there is someone in his family that feels he should be buried in Laurel, MT. I feel it is for selfish reasons. I personally had the highest respect for this man and being the true Norwegian that he was allowed us to share many a Lutefisk dinners!! I’m Norwegian as well!! Good stories and good times accompanied those dinners. can’t stand the akvavit though!! Jud will be missed by a whole lot of people and I hope he will be able to forgive the reason he isn’t being buried with his World War II buddies and his wife when she passes!! Rest in Peace my friend and father in-law!! So many memories!!
CE says
I give my deepest sympathy to the loved ones of Reuben Jodsaas. May you all continue to receive comfort and endurance from our heavenly Father. (2 Corinthians 1:3-4) May Acts 24:15 provide you all with hope.
Dennis and Louise Davenport says
Reuben was the little engine that could. From Job’s Daughters to Lodge to church, he was a lovely friend and a great man. We are so thankful to have spent time together.
J Jodsaas says
What a nice long healthy life you led. All the peoples hearts you have touched, and left them with beautiful memories. I wish I could have met you. I went to 1 family reunion and maybe you were there. I was too little. This is a bit late but God bless your soul. God bless the Jodsaas family.