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Funeral services will take place on Wednesday, September 20, 2023 at 10:00 AM (Mountain).

Rodeo Arena
Wall, South Dakota

Memorial visitation will be held 5-7 p.m. Tuesday, September 19, at the Pennington County 4-H Building in Wall.



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In memory of

Shaun Ruland

of Wall, South Dakota, died on Wednesday, September 13, 2023 in Quinn, South Dakota at the age of 58

Shaun Joseph Ruland passed away suddenly as a result of an accident. He was 58 years old.

Shaun was born to Larry and Lenora (Bloom) Ruland on June 6, 1965, and lived his entire life on the Bloom/Ruland Ranch. He was born a true cowboy who was roping chickens as soon as he could walk and sleeping with his rope next to his bed. He ranched alongside his Grandpa Bud, father Larry, and his siblings. His older sister Kelly was thankfully there to make sure Shaun would make it to adulthood. Younger sister Lorie took a lot of teasing and he referred to her as the toughest cowgirl he ever knew. TJ came along and despite their age difference, Shaun had his younger brother to ride and rope with.

Shaun grew up competing in youth rodeos as well as jackpots and playdays that the whole family competed in. He loved to share stories about the family’s amazing palomino mares, Goldy and Blondie. He competed in, or at least tried about every event he could. He helped his grandpa and dad start the colts.

Shaun graduated from Wall High School in 1984. He was an active FFA member who competed in Horse Judging. He also participated in some sports during the junior high years, but by high school he was devoted to rodeo. He qualified for state and national championships in the High School Rodeo Association.

He then went on to Eastern Wyoming College in Torrington, Wyoming. He competed in college rodeos and worked at the feedlot in Torrington. He also put on many miles traveling back and forth to help on the ranch. He transferred to National College in Rapid City to continue college rodeo and was a College National Finals Rodeo qualifier.

Shaun was ready to head to the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association and happened to win both the Badlands Circuit Rookie of the Year and Champion Team Roping Heeler titles. He qualified for the Badlands Circuit Finals 19 straight years and won a second Champion Team Roping Heeler Title in 2000. He and his partner Billy Gallino just missed making the National Finals Rodeo (NFR) in the 1990s. Shaun was proud to wear his San Antonio Champion Heeling buckle as well as helping Billy win the All Around pickup. Shaun also won championship titles in other associations such as SDRA, NRCA, MPRA, NARC and others. He had many great team roping partners who remained great friends throughout his life.

He was blessed to have his dad, Larry, be his partner in team roping, on the ranch, and in life. Larry would tell people that Shaun’s competitive nature was fierce. Shaun’s mom, Norie, was his biggest fan and so proud of him in all that he did. She took great pride in how hard he worked and the wonderful father he became.

The rodeo trail led him to Michelle, the blonde barrel racer from Minnesota. They were married September 7, 1996. Upon this union came many, many critters into his life, whether it was dogs, cats, ferrets, pigs, goats, chickens, he never told her no to bringing another animal home. And although he didn’t always admit it, he loved them too. His quiet, gentle, and compassionate ways toward animals and people were what made him such a great person.

Then came the kids… Riley Joseph was born in 1998 and Shelby Rae in 2000. He was a very loving and devoted father who never missed a game or activity they were involved in. He supported them in whatever their interests may be but was especially happy that they decided that they wanted to compete in rodeos. He was a very proud dad who loved his children more than words can say and he wasn’t afraid to show it through his emotions.

The indoor arena was built in 1999. The family worked to put on events and accommodate overnight boarding for 20 years at Ruland Arena. Many friends, old and new, passed through that arena. People still share fond memories about time spent there.
After the arena sold and Shaun’s parents had passed away, he worked hard to make improvements on his own place and build his cattle herd. He also worked full time in the construction business for the past 20 years. He traded rodeo competition for team roping jackpots when Riley was ready to enter too. Shaun still enjoyed going to a good team roping now and then with his friend Troy Richter. He really loved tie down team roping and was able to compete in a couple of those over this past summer.
Shaun’s past few years brought changes and his life seemed complete. His kids grew up, graduated from HS, and went on to college. Riley decided to attend Eastern Wyoming College on a rodeo scholarship, just like his dad. Shelby went on to SDSU and was the State FFA President her freshman year. This past year, Riley and Shelby had weddings that were 7 months apart. Anyone can see the love he had for his children. He couldn’t have asked for a better son-in-law and daughter-in-law.

Watching the Cowboy Channel and taking drives around the ranch with Michelle and his dog Gator were two of his favorite things in life. He was loved by many and will be greatly missed.

Survivors include his wife of 27 years Michelle Ruland of Wall; son Riley (Kallie) Ruland of Wall; daughter Shelby (Nathan) Linke of Sioux Falls; siblings: Kelly (Jem) Kjerstad of Quinn, Lorie (Dale) Cahoy of Sheridan, WY, and TJ (Miranda) Ruland of Quinn; Father and Mother-in-Law David and Connie Klann of Douglas, MN; his beloved blue heeler, Gator; and a host of other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents Larry Joe and Lenora (Bloom) Ruland and infant brother Larry John Ruland.

Memorial visitation will be held 5-7 p.m. Tuesday, September 19, at the Pennington County 4-H Building in Wall.

Memorial services will be held 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, September 20, 2023 at the Rodeo Arena in Wall.

Cards and memorials may be sent to 23755 196th Avenue Wall, SD 57790.

MEMORIAL VISITATION
Tuesday, September 19, 2023 - 5-7 p.m.
Pennington County 4-H Building
Wall, South Dakota

MEMORIAL SERVICE
Wednesday, September 20, 2023 - 10:00 a.m.
Rodeo Arena
Wall, South Dakota

OFFICIATING
Pastor Harold Delbridge

MUSIC
Cory Elshere - Anita Sandal - Paige Cordes
DeAnna Kammerer - Jody Sawvell
“In The Garden”
“Lead Me Home”
“Go Rest High”

USHERS
Troy Richter - TJ Ruland - Billy Gallino

HONORARY PALLBEARER
Riley Ruland

  • Sorry for your loss ~ Gary Amos Wall sd (9/20/2023)
  • Sending thoughts & prayers from Kitterman Krew in Kansas. ~ Aaron, Emily, Ivy & Thomas Kitterman Wichita, KS (9/19/2023)
  • So many great memories of the time we spent together throughout our childhood and school years. From jumping from the hay loft and watching out for Bud, roping the dummy (I always lost!), riding in the steer pasture and just having good old fashioned fun outdoors. I was always so dang proud to call Shaun my cousin and brag on on his rodeo accomplishments. Such a kind gentle soul who was capable of doing and being anything he wanted, and he did just that. He was a cowboy and family man! What more can you ask for. RIP Cousin! Until we meet again! ~ Marty Huether Wall (9/19/2023)
  • Our deepest condolences. Shaun was kind and ready to help a friend . He will be greatly missed. ~ Rick and Kathy Downey Piedmont sd (9/19/2023)
  • Shaun was such a nice guy. He will be missed. Thoughts and prayers to all of you during this difficult time. ~ Jess Smith (Luedeman) Grindstone (9/19/2023)
  • I am so sorry to hear about Shaun, we graduated High School together and was in Rodeo Club. he was the nicest guy and always had a smile and a hello for everyone . My sincere condolences to the family . ~ Lori Barber Phoenix Arizona (9/19/2023)
  • So sorry for your loss. He will indeed be missed. I will never forget the great adventures we had. Blessings to all the family. ~ Troy Peterson Mitchell NE (9/18/2023)
  • So so sorry for your loss. Prayers to all the family. ~ Ellie (Brown) Bettelyoun Martin,SD (9/18/2023)
  • My deepest sympathies to the entire Ruland family. ~ Shane Callahan Chatfield, mn (9/18/2023)
  • Shaun was one of the nicest men around, kind and humble and such a great cowboy. Our deepest sympathies for all of you. ~ West Family Hereford, SD (9/17/2023)
  • So sorry for your loss
    A lot of great memories with him.
    He will be missed by many
    Thought and prayers
    Kevin     ~ Kevin Swanke Marmarth ND (9/17/2023)
  • I'm sorry for the loss of your brother and husband and dad and friend. Shaun was a good friend to me growing up we had alot of great memories as friends. May God watch over your family and friends as you go to heaven with your parents and grandparents, God speed my friend we will meet again my friend your friend Dutch. ~ David "Dutch "Stverak Sioux Falls South Dakota (9/16/2023)
  • I have great memories of Shaun, as we went to college in Torrington together. We used to joke and call him Petska! My condolences to all his family and friends. ~ Amy Inghram Gibson Louisville KY (9/16/2023)
  • My thoughts and prayers are with you, May God comfort you during this time. ~ Lea Willuweit Ymker Armour SD (9/16/2023)
  • Prayers to you. ~ Darcy Downey Seguin,TX (9/16/2023)
  • Words cannot express our deepest sympathy for your loss, May God and memories of Shaun give you comfort. ~ Mike, Juliana, Michael, and Alexey Klann Savannah, GA (9/16/2023)
  • My Deepest Sympathy. Keeping all of you in my prayers. ~ Fawna Geigle Sturgis, SD (9/15/2023)
  • I have some of the best memories of you tucked away in my mind. All of us being chased by Maggie the Moose at the park in Pinedale, WY. Outside Grandma Helens yard, riding those propane tanks like they were rank horses. So many more. Heaven gained an angel disguised as a cowboy this week. Rest in peace cousin! ~ Leslie Summers Colorado Springs, CO (9/15/2023)
  • Thoughts and prayers to the family. Shaun was a wonderful person. He will be missed. ~ Duane Kirk St. Onge (9/15/2023)
  • May the light of our rise. Christ shine on you forever. I shall miss our talks and riding checking the cows. Love you forever. ~ Rita Ruland Summers Shreveport. Louisiana (9/15/2023)
  • Gone too soon. May God touch his family snd friends. ~ Hank Ruland PINEDALE Wyoming (9/15/2023)
  • Thank you for being a good friend, a great coworker, and amazing person. ~ Travis Engel Wall SD (9/15/2023)