Dr. Albert "Al" & Dorothy "Dottie" Ruhe

Memorial Service will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, June 14th, at the St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery in Willmar, MN.

Dr. & Mrs. Albert “Al” & Dorothy “Dottie” Ruhe were beloved spouses of 69 years, sharing a life filled with devoted love, unending memories, and a steadfast partnership. Al and Dottie met during a dance at Temple University where Al was a medical student and Dottie was a nursing student. From the moment they met, they were inseparable. There were married on November 30th, 1952, and enjoyed years of traveling, golfing, boating, and endless conversations over coffee.

Albert was born in Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania on October 8th, 1928, to Albert and Florence Ruhe. He graduated from Geneva College in 1950, and then Temple University Medical School in 1954. Al was a man of honesty, strong faith, integrity, and believed in hard work. He often said that it isn’t always intelligence that gets you through school, it is perseverance. He worked as a taxi driver during medical school, while Dottie worked as a nurse on the night shift. After medical school, Albert was drafted and served as a Captain in the U.S. Air Force for 3 years. Upon completing a Radiology residency in Michigan, they moved to Willmar, MN in 1961 where he joined West Central Radiology. Al was instrumental in expanding the practice from 2 Radiologist to 7 Radiologist serving all of West Central Minnesota. He worked for 42 years never missing a day of work. During his career, Al (and Dottie) grew close friendships with fellow Radiologists, X-ray technicians, and the other doctors/nurses in the hospital. He was admired for his expertise, kindness, and humility. Because of these traits, he was highly respected and well loved. Al had 3 passions in life; his family (which was always his priority), Radiology, and flying. He was introduced to flying when he moved to Willmar by Dr. John Docksey, his lifelong friend. From the time of that first flight, he was hooked. He became a private pilot, instrument rated, and instructor certified. He later purchased a single engine Mooney which he flew both for personal reasons and to the various hospitals. Any opportunity he had, he would go flying. But above all else, he loved his wife and family. Countless times, when he was tired from being up all night from being on call, he would take the time to play basketball or baseball with his kids. Due to his love of tennis (which he won several tournaments), he enjoyed many hours teaching his son, and then grandson how to play. Once he and Dottie had grandchildren, he spent countless hours showing them how to fish, garden, and entertained them with various stories that he would make up…often as he was telling the story.

Dorothy was born in Nanticoke, Pennsylvania on August 22nd, 1931, to John and Mary Waselus. She graduated from Temple University with a Nursing degree in 1952. She was a woman of faith, family oriented, unwavering support of her husband, and was not afraid to speak her mind. Once they moved to Willmar, Dottie primarily was a homemaker raising their four children. She was active as a volunteer with the American Red Cross and other organizations. She was a fantastic cook, being able to prepare a dinner at home to hosting a party. Her grandchildren could not wait to visit them because of her good cooking. She also loved gardening. Her flower gardens and planters were stunning, and she loved teaching her daughter and grandchildren the art of gardening. She would point out at a field and say: “See all the wildflowers, they are beautiful and there is no particular color or type, so pick what you want, and it will turn out fine.”

In 1991, Al and Dottie moved to a home overlooking Green Lake which they loved. Throughout the years in Willmar, they developed numerous lifelong friendships. Al and Dottie also later lived in Scottsdale, AZ where they could escape the winters creating new memories.

They are survived by their four children, Eric (Aurora) Ruhe, Bruce Ruhe, Rodney Ruhe, and Karen (Eric) Burton; four grandchildren, Autumn Ruhe (Justin), Sara Ruhe O’Connell (Michael), Madeline Burton, Zachary Burton; two great grandchildren, Edmund and Marlow.