John Michael Ruhland, age 51 years, of Brooklyn Center, MN passed on April 15, 2024 at North Memorial Hospital. He was born on November 1st, 1972 in St. Paul, Minnesota to Victorin and M. Jean Ruhland.
John was a man of select words, a generally soft voice and some sign language. He will be remembered for his ability to communicate and engage with others in friendly ways that endeared him to people. He had a strength of spirit to endure discomforts or longing that he couldn’t always relay verbally. Yet, he usually powered through with his agenda.
John lived with foster family Rick and Cheryl Eagan until 1980. At 8 ½ years of age, in March 1981, John joined the Bob and Marjorie Bleakmore family in St. Paul. Here, he strongly bonded and resided until age 30. John enjoyed home life, activities, traveling with his Bleakmore family and visits to see his Ruhland family. As a young boy, he attended Bridge View school in St. Paul for ten years, where teachers were pleased with his kind personality, work ethic and care for others. He participated in his Christian confirmation in 1990. He participated in a day work program for several years. On February 11, 2003, his next chapter began with Lutheran Social Services; He lived in Lexington House and worked in a day program. In 2016, John moved to Northport Home in Brooklyn Center. John had retired from day program work.
In spite of being wheelchair-bound his last many years, he was able to navigate his chair and transfer flawlessly, with impressive upper body strength and typical determination. He cherished daily, outdoor walks with staff (usually Thomas) who were special to him. John enjoyed music, concerts, occasional art project, dogs, eating out, being on the deck of his home. His favorite things included meal time, the tv show Law and Order and a fresh new band-aid on the arm. He liked to share his version of an okay sign by pressing his thumb to your thumb to let you know he ‘got the message’. And perhaps, wished you would get his message. When John wanted an interaction to last longer, he’d convince one to remove their shoes so he could set them aside, lined up just out of reach. When he was done with a conversation, he’d let that be known as well. John had a flair for posing for photos either with a bold wave, or, in his younger years, shielding his face with a salute (a visor for camera’s flash of light). John had an affinity for looking handsome. He changed clothes often and enjoyed praise for looking good. He also had a flair for finishing the last drop of his beverage with a fancy twist and flick of the glass (especially with his most recent favorite: the smiley-faced emojis cup). A toast to John who is loved and missed by many!
He was preceded in death by his mother Jean Ruhland, brother Joseph Ruhland and by his foster dad (Robert) Bob Bleakmore. John is survived by his father Victorin Ruhland, St. Paul, MN, brother Jim (Jayne) Ruhland, Mitchell, SD, brother Ken (Lori) Ruhland, Fargo ND, sister Kathy (Steven) Geis, Woodbury, Mn, brother Brian Ruhland, Winona, MN. Nieces and nephews Faith, Claire, Sophia, Matthew Geis, Paige Magelky and Morgan Ruhland, foster mom Marjorie Bleakmore and siblings Barbara, Mike, Dan, Matt, and Bonnie.
The Ruhland family wishes to thank the loving, nurturing, Bob and Marge Bleakmore family. And to thank Lutheran Social Services, the staff at LSS Northport Home who were caring to John his last many years.
Visitation will be held Wednesday, May 1st, 2024 at 10:30 a.m. Funeral service at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, May 1st, 2024. Church of St. Pascal Baylon, 1757 Conway Street, St. Paul, Minnesota. Inurnment to follow at Guardian Angels Cemetery, Oakdale, MN.
Memorials are preferred to the Downs Syndrome Association of MN.
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