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Funeral services will take place on Saturday, April 6, 2019 at 10:00 AM (Mountain).

St. Patricks Catholic Church
Wall, South Dakota

Mt. Hope Cemetery
Quinn, South Dakota
A visitation will be held from 6-7 p.m. on Friday, April 5 with a prayer and rosary service starting at 7 p.m. at St. Patricks Catholic Church in Wall.



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In memory of

Lenora "Norie" Ruland

of Quinn, South Dakota, died on Tuesday, April 2, 2019 at the Philip Nursing Home at the age of 79

Lenora "Norie" Jane Bloom was born to Bud and Lucyle (Kelly) Bloom on May 11, 1939 in Quinn, South Dakota. She was a beloved little sister to her brother Jim.

She grew up on the family ranch south of Quinn where as a child she loved spending hours in the saddle with her Mom and Dad. She especially enjoyed riding and playing in the scenic badlands. One of her favorite childhood memories was attending the many Kelly and Bloom family get togethers with all of her aunts, uncles and cousins; she often would fondly recall the wonderful family dinners at Grandma Nora Kelly’s house in Quinn. Lenora descended from a long line of strong Irish Catholic women, and at the top of her priority list was passing her faith down to her children and grandchildren.

Lenora graduated from Quinn High School as the class valedictorian in 1957. She then attended Chadron State College in Nebraska and graduated with degrees in elementary education and art. Upon graduation she accepted a position as second grade teacher in Pinedale, Wyoming. While in Pinedale she met her beloved husband Larry. They had a mutual love for horses and enjoyed riding together and taking pack trips into the mountains. Larry proposed to Lenora on St. Patrick’s Day in 1962 and they were married on June 2nd of that year in Quinn, South Dakota. They were blessed with five children: Kelly, Shaun, Lorie, and TJ. Another son, Larry John, was stillborn. Larry and Lenora made their home and their life together on a ranch in Quinn, where they remained all their married life. Lenora was a loving wife, mother and grandmother.

Lenora was a gifted educator, passing on her love of reading to her students and family during her 40-year career within the Wall School District. She retired from teaching in 2004, but she stayed busy as a substitute for many years.

Lenora’s top priority and greatest joy was caring for and loving her husband and family. She never missed an opportunity to support and cheer for her children and grandchildren whether in the rodeo arena or at an athletic event. She had an outgoing and positive personality, and she felt comfortable in any crowd. She was always happy to strike up a conversation, and she could always think of something to visit about.

Lenora was a testament to true courage as she suffered greatly the last few years of her life with several health issues. Losing her ability to be independent was truly devastating to her, but she never let it get her down for long. She was a true example of what redemptive suffering and faith are all about. She never stopped wanting to participate in family gatherings, but more importantly she made sure that Larry or other family members always took her to Mass. Her courage, strength, commitment and faith are now her legacy. Her last outing was to her husband Larry’s funeral which took place the day before she passed from this life. She was a member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Wall.

She was so loved and will be greatly missed by her daughter Kelly and Jem Kjerstad of Quinn; son Shaun and Michelle Ruland of Quinn; daughter Lorie and Dale Cahoy of Sheridan, Wyoming; son TJ and Miranda Ruland of Quinn; 12 grandchildren: Dillon (Courtney)Kjerstad, Ryan (Amanda) Kjerstad, Brittany (Ryan) McKnight, Sister Joan Kolbe, and Paige Kjerstad; Riley and Shelby Ruland; Kylee (Joe) Frost and Shyanna Cahoy; Iyla, Maverick and Pruitt Ruland; eight great-grandchildren: Teelan, Presley, Tenley, Ryer, Kaden, Grayson, Taelyn and Brynn; her brother Dr. James Bloom and his wife Maggie of Rapid City; and a host of other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband Larry on March 28, 2019; an infant son Larry John; and her parents Willard "Bud" and Lucyle Bloom.

A visitation will be held from 6-7 p.m. on Friday, April 5 with a prayer and rosary service starting at 7 p.m. at St. Patricks Catholic Church in Wall.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 6 at St. Patricks Catholic Church in Wall with Father Dan Juelfs as celebrant.

Interment will follow at Mt. Hope Cemetery in Quinn.

VISITATION
Friday, April 5 - 6-7 p.m.
St. Patricks Catholic Church
Wall, South Dakota

PRAYER AND ROSARY SERVICE
Friday, April 5 - 7:00 p.m.
St. Patricks Catholic Church
Wall, South Dakota

MASS OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL
Saturday, April 6, 2019 - 10:00 a.m.
St. Patricks Catholic Church
Wall, South Dakota

CELEBRANT
Father Dan Juelfs

MUSIC
Sister Agnes - Cantor
Gene and Rita Patterson - Musicians
“Eye Has Not Seen”
“Here I Am Lord”
“Ave Maria”
“Hail Mary Gentle Woman”
“Song of Farewell”
“Amazing Grace”

USHERS
Pat Guptill - Marv Botz

ALTAR SERVERS
Teelan Kjerstad - Jace Blasius - Emmett Dinger

EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS
Carol Hoffman - Brett Blasius - Kevin Bielmaier

LECTORS
Dillon Kjerstad - Ryan Kjerstad

PALLBEARERS
Dillon Kjerstad - Ryan Kjerstad - Brittany McKnight - Paige Kjerstad
Sister Joan Kolbe - Riley Ruland - Shelby Ruland - Kylee Frost
Shyanna Cahoy - Iyla Ruland - Maverick Ruland - Pruitt Ruland

HONORARY PALLBEARERS
All Relatives, Friends and Neighbors

INTERMENT
Mt. Hope Cemetery
Quinn, South Dakota

  • Norie, a real classy lady. Always a nice "hello" and great smile. Thank You for all you have done. ~ Margie Huether-Martin Rapid City, SD (4/10/2019)
  • So sorry for your loss ~ Ronda Hamann Wall, SD (4/7/2019)
  • I was very surprised to see that Lenora had passed so soon after Larry, but after reading the obituary, I understood. She was a room mate of mine for a time at Black Hills State before she transferred to Chadron. They visited us when they were in Huron for rodeos. As I stated in Larry's message, I never took time to stop and visit them. Time runs out and my trips west became less frequent. I was pleased to learn that Lenora had such a wonderful career and influenced so many students. I remember her saying how she enjoyed substituting after she retired. My sympathy to her family, her life was cut too short, but she and Larry are together again and you have great memories to help ease the pain of their loss. ~ Darlene Gray Kutzler Huron, SD (4/7/2019)
  • Our deepest sympathy goes out to all of you. Her tribute video was beautiful and truly reflected the love she had for her family. Prayers of strength and healing. ~ Rick and Kathy Downey Piedmont, SD (4/6/2019)
  • My goodness, she just couldn't live without Larry. So sorry for your double loss. Norie was so very proud of her kids - we had lots of visits at the Arena. Blessings to all of her loved ones. ~ Glenn & Rita OConnell Philip (4/5/2019)
  • God brought Norie & Larry together so many years ago & together is how I met & knew them - always a great couple. I enjoyed many wonderful times & have fond memories of both Norie & Larry. Praise God for keeping their separation short. Their legacies of faith, family, rodeo, education & service will continue to impact & bless generations. The examples they set by the lives they led are immeasurable! God bless all & hold close all who loved these wonderful people! ~ Marcia Eisenbraun Custer, SD (4/5/2019)
  • Such a sad thing to lose both of your parents within days of each other, but now they are together again. So many rodeos and fun times were spent as our kids were growing up. Hang onto your precious memories and your Dad and Mom will be in your hearts forever. ~ Mary Jorensen Sturgis, SD (4/5/2019)
  • Ruland families, We are so sorry to hear of Nories's passing. She was a very nice lady who always said hi and had a kind word. Take care of each other. Sincerely, Scott and Jana Jones ~ Scott and Jana Jones Midland, SD (4/4/2019)
  • Please know that Ron and I are thinking of you. All of you are in our prayers. So many fond memories of your family and your parents. They will be missed but fondly remembered.
     ~ Tonya and Ron Matt Sioux Falls, SD (4/4/2019)
  • Kelley........we extend our deepest sympathy to you and your family on the passing of your parents. Praying for your comfort. ~ Melvin H Roghair Okaton, SD (4/3/2019)
  • Our hearts are with you all. Larry and Norrie were lifetime friends of my family and Kenny and I. They were just great people in every way. God be with you. ~ Kenny & Lyndy Ireland Philip, SD (4/3/2019)
  • You all are in our thoughts and prayers for strength, comfort and guidance. Your parents were wonderful friends of our parents, Walt and Ony and all of us! We have fond memories we will cherish. God Bless ~ Chris (Hoffman) Crago Belle (4/3/2019)
  • Your family is in our thoughts and prayers ~ Kari and Kendall Kjerstad Grand Junction CO (4/3/2019)
  • We had great times as kids sorry for the loss. ~ Patrick Jerry Kelly Savage minnesota (4/3/2019)
  • My thoughts and prayers are with you all at this time. May your cherished memories lift your spirit. ~ Lea Willuweit Ymker Armour SD (4/3/2019)
  • I am so sorry to hear of Norie's passing. ~ Ellie (Brown) Bettelyoun Martin, SD (4/3/2019)
  • Sorry for your loss. Norie is at peace. RIP my friend. Prairie prayers from Plainview coming your way. ~ Jim and Vonnie O’Dea Howes, SD (4/3/2019)
  • My Deepest Sympathy for all of you. Keeping all of you in my thoughts and prayers. May the Lord Be With You now and Always. ~ Fawna (Geigle) Goff Sturgis, SD (4/3/2019)