It is with our Deep and Greatest Sadness; the family of Helen Ruppelius announces her departure on the "Wings of an Angel" on 20 October 2023.  She will be at peace in the hands of her maker and "forever" loved and missed by her family!

Helen will always be lovingly remembered by her children, Barbara Ruppelius of Montgomery, TX, Gwen (Todd) Campbell of North Bend, WA, Berna (Gail) Van Buren of Ft. Collins, CO, Shelia (Alan) Denny of Grand Forks, Breck (Karin) Ruppelius of Montgomery, TX, and Brad Ruppelius of St. John, numerous grand and great grandchildren, her brother Donald and sister Lois and many nephews, nieces, cousins and friends.

In her 95 years, Helen was a devoted wife, mother, grand and great grandmother who provided undying and selfless love and support to all.  She was born in Casselton Dakota on Jun 30, 1928 to Victor Bush and Alice (Ricketts) Bush and later moved to the farmstead southeast of Rolla where she grew up.  Upon culmination of WWII, Helen met and married Merlin (Buck) Ruppelius on November 28, 1946. In their early years of marriage, they lived in Montana, Wyoming, and South Dakota while Merlin worked in heavy equipment construction until they purchased the Ruppelius Ranch in 1959 in the Turtle Mountains.  Together, they worked as a team and cleared the land expanding it into a prosperous farm and cattle ranch.

Helen lived a full life and a life for which her family honors and will forever regard her with the greatest love and highest admiration.

In the highest respect for our mothers wishes, we will have an immediate family only service and burial at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery where she will join her husband, Buck.  Please share your prayers for her.

Elick Funeral Home, Rolla, ND.