Don Ruebke
Don Ruebke of Newton passed away on
Monday (Aug. 15, 2016) in Pagosa Springs, Colorado. He was hiking on
a mountain trail with his wife, children and grandchildren. He was
"riding a wave, on top of the world, the sun at his face, the
wind at his back and everything going his way," when his heart
stopped and he went to be with his Savior.
Don was born Sept. 20, 1963 to John and
Beatrice (Brenneman) Ruebke of Hesston. He married his first love,
Michelle Kozaka on Oct. 15, 1983.
Don was loved and respected,
epitomizing gentle and quiet strength. He loved His Lord Jesus and
acted justly, loved mercy and walked humbly.
Don worked for 32 years at
Boeing/Spirit Aerosystems in Wichita, starting as a composite
repairman and finishing as an executive. He went back to school while
working and raising a family--he graduated summa cum laude with a
Masters in Business, emphasis on Leadership, from Newman University
in 2016.
His favorite pastimes were spent with
his family, playing games or singing hymns. Don was invested in his
sons' local Boy Scout Troop 127, backpacking and hiking on four High
Adventure trips with his son, Jonathan. He enjoyed traveling to
Europe, eating pastries and drinking espresso. He took his first
mission trip to Haiti in December 2015.
Don ran his first 5K race Thanksgiving
of 2015 and ran his first half-marathon in May 2016.
Don is survived by his wife, Michelle
Ruebke of Newton. He left a beautiful legacy to ten children, ages 12
to 32; Anna (Richard) Brown of Newton; Jenna (Vincent) Quentin of
Newton; Melissa (Dylan) Neubauer of McPherson; Faith Ruebke; Hope
Ruebke; Jonathan Ruebke; Charity Ruebke; Grace Ruebke; Michael and
Meghan Ruebke.
He was the favorite PapaBear of six
grandchildren who came to eat all his goldfish, swim in his pool, and
enjoy his famous pancakes: Ryan and Emma Brown; Luca, Maya and Alex
Quentin; and Tess Neubauer.
Don was preceded in death by his father
John Ruebke and his child, Jamie Ruebke.
The funeral service will be 2 p.m.
Tuesday (Aug. 23, 2016) at Grace Community Church in Newton.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be
sent to The Citizens State Bank in Newton, In Memory of Don Ruebke.
