Rufus Garnmeister

RUFUS HERMAN GARNMEISTER was born on March 25, 1925 at home near George, Iowa to Herman and Emma (Bunte) Garnmeister. He was raised on the family farm. He was baptized and confirmed at the Immanuel Lutheran Church of George and attended country school through the eighth grade near George. Rufus helped his dad on the farm and was active in 4-H as a youth. In 1943 he enlisted in the United States Army and proudly served his country during WWII. Rufus served in England, Germany, France, Morocco, Holland, Austria and Belgium under General Patton. He was honorably discharged in 1945 and returned to Iowa. On January 8, 1950 he was united in marriage to Verna Stange at St. Paul Lutheran Church of rural Hull, Iowa. The couple settled on a farm in Springwater Township, Rock County, Minnesota, 13 miles Northwest of Luverne, Minnesota. Rufus worked the land and raised Hereford and Angus cattle, poultry, and pigs. He received awards for his contour farming methods. In 1973 Rufus retired from farming and went to work at Luverne Truck Equipment until 1987. In 2001, after 51 years on the farm, Rufus and Verna moved to Luverne. In 2012 Rufus became a resident of the Minnesota Veterans Home in Luverne where he lived until his death on Saturday, April 25, 2015 at the age of 90 years and one month.

He was a member of St. John Lutheran Church in Luverne. Rufus served as an Elder, participated with Stephen Ministry, Evangelism and LCEF. He taught teen Bible Classes for 28 years. Rufus “loved to sing,” read and garden. He enjoyed staying active and up to date on issues relating to soil conservation, politics, farming, and cattle raising, especially Herefords and Angus. Rufus was very knowledgeable about history. He served as a 4-H Leader and was the superintendent of the beef barn at the Rock County Fair for several years. Rufus was a fun-loving man who loved to tell a joke and have a good laugh. His smile, singing and the twinkle in his eye brought joy to many. He loved to share his faith and words of wisdom sprinkled with wit. Rufus was a ‘counselor’ to many and always thought of how to minister to others.

Rufus will be lovingly remembered by his wife of 65 years, Verna Garnmeister of Luverne, Minnesota; his three daughters, Paula and her husband John Peterson of Parker, Colorado, Mary and her husband Claude Vahle of Highland, California, and Ruth and her husband Scott Kannenberg of Sioux Falls, South Dakota; five grandchildren, Sarah (Kevin), John (Amie), Kathryn (Luke), Andrew, and Jared; and two great-granddaughters, Ashley and Janelle; one great-grandson, Ian; one sister-in-law, Marianne Garnmeister of Greenville, South Carolina. He was preceded in death by his parents, Herman and Emma Garnmeister; siblings, Vertis, Herman, and Albert Garnmeister and Loretta Vanden Mark.

Memorial preferred to Little Lambs Pre-school at St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church, 803 North Cedar, Luverne, MN 56156.