Gary L. Ruehle was born April 17, 1951 in Emmetsburg, Iowa to Bruce and Jean (Smith) Ruehle. He attended Ruthven High School, graduating in 1970. During high school, Gary enjoyed playing football and he worked at the Hi-Way Texaco gas station in Ruthven where he learned auto mechanics.

After graduation Gary moved to Emmetsburg for three years to work for Leroy Miller Construction, building nursing homes across the entire state of Iowa. In 1973 he began working at Larry Kemmer's gas station in Emmetsburg until the fall of 1973 when he purchased Hi-Way Texaco in Ruthven from Joel Eaton.

Gary's true passion was raising livestock which he did for most of his life. After selling the station around 1997, he reduced his work focus to Eaton Corporation along with the livestock. After twenty years at Eaton's Gary "retired" to focus on his cow/calf herd and custom feeding hogs, which he continued until his death.

Gary was an avid deer hunter and in earlier years enjoyed hunting pheasant and duck as well. He also enjoyed chocolate cake with butter on it and watching old westerns.

Gary passed away in peace at Avera Heart Hospital in Sioux Falls, South Dakota on Sunday, May 6, 2018, at the age of 67. He was preceded in death by his parents, Bruce and Jean Ruehle and his brother, Michael Ruehle.

He is survived by his special friend, Vickie Schwarting of Ruthven, Iowa; sons and daughters, Corey Ruehle of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Jeremy (Lori) Ruehle of Algona, Iowa, Colette (Tim) Henningsen of Urbandale, Iowa and Nicole (Adam) Wichman of Urbandale, Iowa; nine (soon to be ten) grandchildren; brothers, David (Marilyn) Ruehle of Graettinger, Iowa, Dean (Mary) Ruehle of Dallas, Texas and Bob (Leanne) Ruehle of Loveland, Colorado; sister-in-law, Kerry Ruehle of Sioux City, Iowa; along with many other relatives and friends.

Arrangements by Martin-Mattice Funeral Home