Jerome "Kraut" M. Ruud, age 70, of Twin Valley, MN, passed away on Wednesday, March 22, 2023 at his home.

Jerome Michael Ruud was born on October 4, 1952 in Ada, MN, to Harding "Harry" and Marjorie (Shawstad) Ruud. Jerome grew up in Twin Valley, playing baseball for the Twin Valley Tigers and earning his nickname "Kraut". He proudly graduated with the class of 1971 and furthered his education at Moorhead State University. Jerome was drafted into the United States Army in late 1972, proudly serving his county during the Vietnam War, spending some time overseas in West Berlin. After his honorable discharge in 1974, Kraut came back to the Twin Valley area where he began working for the Burlington North Railroad. Over the 28+ years spent working for the railroad, Kraut was able to travel to the majority of the Midwest and West Coast, allowing him to stop by and visit family members all over the United States. On August 12, 1995, Kraut was united in marriage to Susan Nelson, and the couple made their home outside of Twin Valley. After his retirement from the railroad, Kraut kept busy caring for the farm and spending time with friends and family.

Kraut was always an outdoors fan, spending his time hunting deer and pheasants, snowmobiling, fishing, gardening, and chopping wood. Kraut and Susan hosted deer camp every year and always made the highly requested "klub" potato dumplings which were family favorites. Kraut had a soft spot for animals, having many furry companions at home over the years. When he wasn't spending time outdoors, Kraut could be found tinkering on cars and reading science fiction novels. The Nelson family will be forever grateful to Jerome and Susan in helping their parents, Virgil and Edna, on the farm for many years.  He will be greatly missed by friends and family.

Kraut is survived by his wife, Susan Ruud; siblings: Virginia "Gina" (Don Giesen) Ruud, Richard (Kathy Hoganson) Ruud, Debbie (Joe) Bayer, Diane Miller, and Vicki (John) Frazier; sisters-in-law: Jeanette Rosenheim, Sharon Sheehan, and Cindy Nelson; brothers-in-law, Michael Nelson and Bruce Nelson; many nieces and nephews; and close friends, Randy Heiraas, Roger Saker, Larry Kjono, Kim Halverson, and Wayne Bakke. Kraut was preceded in death by his parents, Harry and Marjorie Ruud, brother-in-law, Leon Miller; and close friend, Harry Bain.

Memorial Services will be held on Saturday, June 24, 2023 at 2:00pm, with a visitation starting one hour before, at Anderson Family Funeral Home in Twin Valley, followed by military honors and a graveside service at Zion Lutheran Cemetery in Twin Valley.