Ruben Ronald Dschaak, of Bucyrus, North Dakota passed away on Monday March 1, 2021 just before turning 79 years old. After years of health concerns, he died peacefully surrounded by family at the Rapid City Monument Health. His beloved wife, Ardella (Zentner) was by his side. Services to celebrate Ruben's life will be on Saturday, April 10, 2021 at 1:00 p.m. at the Centennial Chapel of Evanson Jensen Funeral Homes in Hettinger, ND.

Ruben was born on April 12, 1942 in Hazen, North Dakota with his twin sister, Ruby, to Ella and Jacob Dschaak. He grew up in Zap, North Dakota with his eight siblings in a home where they only spoke German, which Ardella claims is the reason he flunked first grade. After graduating in 1961, he moved to Pierre to help build a dam and was shortly laid off, moved to Oregon to help his brother Wes plant trees, and then returned to the Midwest to build missile silos. Ruben was then drafted into the military (he was actually the last group drafted, which he said was just bad luck). He was a teletype operator in the military because he was the only person out of 30 men who knew how to type. He served for the United States for two years before coming home.

In 1966 after serving, Ruben took a job with the bus depot in Bismarck where he met Ardella when she was on her way to her sister, Sally's, wedding. He asked her out multiple times and she refused every time. Finally, she agreed to go on a date with him. They went to the movie Salt & Pepper together. After dating for a year, they decided to get married. Grandma Ardella, to this day, says Grandpa Ruben was the most unromantic person. Together, they bought the bus line to Hettinger and ran that for five years, which Ardella loved.

In 1970, Ruben and Ardella had their daughter, Denise Ann, who looked just like her dad, dark hair and all. In 1972, their son, Troy Ruben was born. In 1985, they bought the restaurant that all of Hettinger cherished, the Cozy Hut. Denise and Troy still talk about how much work that restaurant was, but how much all of the citizens of Hettinger loved the Cozy Hut.

Ruben had four grandchildren who he absolutely adored. Cassandra RuAnn (named after her grandpa, Ruben) came in 1996 and Alec Jacob followed in 1998. Dru DeLynn was born in 2008 and Shay Elizabeth came along in 2010. Ruben spent three summers driving Cassie and Alec around to all of their activities when they were younger and was still talking about how much he loved that time during his last days. When grandpa could no longer mow his lawn, Dru and Shay took over.

Ruben was a strong, proud, and loving brother, husband, father, and grandpa. He is loved and will be missed by many. He will be forever remembered for his goofy smirk, endless sarcasm, caring heart, and unconditional love. Although our hearts are so heavy, we will celebrate Ruben's life and find comfort that he is in heaven watching over us.

He is preceded in death by parents, Ella (Froeschle) and Jacob Dschaak; siblings Eldora Eisenbraun, Ardella Wetzel, Wesley Dschaak, Roy Dschaak, Ruby Sigman (Ruben's twin sister), Vernon Dschaak; nieces and nephews John Eisenbraun, Pam Wetzel, Brenda Wetzel, Marvin Jr. "Junior" Wetzel, Karen Crews.

Ruben is survived by his wife Ardella (Zentner) Dschaak; children Denise (Ethan) Andress and Troy (Sarah) Dschaak; grandchildren Cassie and Alec Andress, Dru and Shay Dschaak; siblings Joyce Quinlan, Verna Solem; nieces and nephews Linda Barnes, Cindy Sturre, Kurt Dschaak, Tera James, Brent Dschaak, Andrea Gonzales, Ethan Dschaak, Joanne Salkeld, Daniel Quinlan, Dean Dschaak, Dennis Sigman, Dorian Sigman, Scott Solem, Susan Olson.