Marlene Marie Kahut Ruef passed away at the age of 85 on Feb. 28, 2024 at her home in Mount Angel, Oregon. She was born on Sept. 22, 1938 in Woodburn, Oregon to Frank and Rose Kahut.
Marlene was raised on a farm in Woodburn. She graduated from Mt. Angel Academy in June 1956. On July 14, 1956 she married her high school sweetheart, Max Ruef, at St. Luke Catholic Church in Woodburn. Marlene and Max raised seven children on their mink ranch outside of Mount Angel.
Marlene enjoyed working alongside her husband and kept meticulous books for the ranch. She enjoyed traveling with Max to China, Europe and Africa. She also enjoyed capturing family memories in beautifully crafted scrapbooks as well as baking.
She will be missed by her husband Max of 67 years; her children, Pam (Larry) Groomes, Patty (Stu) Smith, Julie (Rigo) Parra, Joe (Darcy) Ruef, Susie (Mike) Charpilloz, Cherie (Steve) Bielenberg and Jeff (Toni) Ruef; as well as 19 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren with two more due this summer.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her sisters, Jeanette Schindler, Lorene Hassing, Vera Bernt; and brothers, Glenn, Milton and Marvin, her twin.
Funeral services were held at St. Mary Catholic Church in Mount Angel on March 8.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Shriner’s Childrens Hospital or St. Jude Children’s Hospital. Arrangements by Unger Funeral Chapel – Silverton.
