Odell David Ruesink

Odell David Ruesink, 87, of Zumbrota, Minnesota, died Tuesday, July 28, 2026, at home with his loving family by his side. He had been struggling with normal pressure hydrocephalus and dementia. We take comfort in the faith and hope he placed in Jesus. 

Odell was born on July 23, 1939, in Cresco, Iowa, the youngest of four children to Dale and Mildred (Mensink) Ruesink of Cherry Grove (southeast of Spring Valley), Minnesota. He grew up in Cherry Grove, Minnesota and attended Cherry Grove school through 8th grade. Odell then attended the Southern School of Agriculture in Waseca, graduating in 1957. He served our country in the army from 1958 – 1964. On December 10, 1960, he married his high school sweetheart, Joan Kay Allen, daughter of Louis and Edith (Kranz) Allen of Eyota, Minnesota. 

Odell worked for IBM while transitioning to full-time farming in Cherry Grove, Minnesota. He served as treasurer to Forestville Township for many years, as a director on the Bloomfield Mutual Insurance board, and a member of the Harmony State Line Chorus. He was also a United Methodist Church Lay Speaker for 25 years and very involved in the Cherry Grove United Methodist church including men’s group and choir. In 1983, he moved the family to Goodhue, Minnesota. In 1985, he started work at Foldcraft Company in Kenyon, Minnesota. Odell retired from Foldcraft in 2000. He then became a TSA officer at Rochester International Airport until full retirement in 2005. Joan and Odell moved to Arkansas for seven years after retirement, before returning to Zumbrota, Minnesota. 

Odell was preceded in death by his parents; a son, Rodney; one infant sister; two brothers, Donovan and Keith; two brothers-in-law, Gerald Allen and Jerry Vanderham; and one sister-in - law, Marlys Nordhorn Ruesink. 

He is survived by his loving wife of 65 years, Joan; three daughters, Dawn (Bruce) Rohl of Kenyon, Kim (Andrew) Huneke of Zumbrota, and Sara (Jeff) Nolte of Pine Island; 10 grandchildren, Samantha Rohl (James) McCauley, Benjamin (Kassi) Rohl, Alyssa Huneke (Jarid) Lawrence, Michelle Huneke, Devan Huneke (Kendal Weger), Laura Huneke, Allison Mollenhauer (Bjorn) Peterson, Shea Mollenhauer, Miranda Mollenhauer (Kyle) Hansen, Dylan (Emily) Mollenhauer; 11 great-grandchildren; in-laws, Eugene (Joan) Allen, Marcy Allen, and Joyce Vanderham; and many nieces and nephews. 

A funeral service will be held 11am Saturday, August 8, 2026, at Pine Island United Methodist Church in Pine Island, Minnesota, with Pastor Allison Schwarz officiating, visitation an hour priror to the service. Burial will take place on Monday, August 10, 2026, at the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery in Preston, Minnesota.