Kenneth R. Rucker,

Monday, August 14, 2017 1:48 pm

Kenneth R. Rucker, 60, passed away Thursday, Aug. 10, 2017, at Golden Living Center in St. Louis Park, Minn. He is formerly of Decorah, and Rochester, Minn. Funeral services are at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 15, at Fjelstul Funeral Home in Decorah, with Pastor Chad Huebner officiating. Organist is Marcia Engebretson. Congregational Hymns are “In the Garden” and “Amazing Grace.”Burial is in Phelps Cemetery in Decorah. Visitation begins at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 15, one hour before the service, at Fjelstul Funeral Home. Fjelstul Funeral Home in Decorah is serving the family. Online condolences may be made at fjelstul.com.

Kenneth was born June 30, 1957, in Waterloo, the son of Robert and Doris (Ustby) Rucker. He went to grade school and junior high school in Onalaska, Wis. and high school in Austin, Minn., where he graduated with the Class of 1975. He married Yvette Merrill in 1976; they were divorced 2009. Kenneth started working as a painter for his father in high school, worked at Community Action in Decorah, and also as a painter in Rochester, Minn. He had many interests including reading, genealogy, home renovation and board games (especially Strategy).

Kenneth is survived by his brother, Russell (Elena) of Orfordvile, Wis.; his sister, L. Jill (Jon) Rennie of Senoia, Ga.; his four children: Benjamin (Hisako) Rucker, Sarah Rucker, Andrew Rucker and Rebecca Rucker; his five granddaughters: Sakura Rucker, Mizuki Rucker, Reina Rucker, Yuuna Rucker and Gracelynn Watson; his ex-wife Yvette Rucker of Rochester, Minn.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Doris, July 17, 1999; and his father, Robert, Jan. 23, 2013.