James "Steve" Ruble

James “Steve” Ruble, age 74, of Isanti, Minnesota, formerly of Austin, Minnesota, passed away on Sunday, March 2, 2025, at Cambridge Medical Center in Cambridge, Minnesota. Steve was born April 30, 1950, to TM “Jim” and Leona (Thoreson) Ruble in Austin. He graduated from Austin High School and on November 21, 1968, Steve enlisted into the United States Air Force, proudly serving our country until his honorable discharge on November 20, 1972. He went on to further his education at the Albert Lea Vocational-Technical Institute. Steve married Cynthia “Cindy” Qualey on July 26, 1974, at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Austin. Their 50-year union was blessed with two children. Steve worked various jobs throughout his life, starting at Greenman’s Heating & Cooling, followed by Hage Construction and Hormel Foods. Later in his career, he worked in maintenance at the Austin Public Schools while also owning and operating Ruble Heating & Cooling. He was a member of the V.F.W. Post 1216, American Legion Post 91, Hy-Vee Coffee Club, and a local bowling league. Steve cherished nearly 50 years of family trips to the Four Seasons Resort on Big Winnie, where he liked to fish. He was always very proud of his family and loved their time together. He was known for his passion for collecting Ford tractors, despite his aversion to Ford cars and trucks. Steve enjoyed spending time planting sweet corn on his tractor and working in the garden with his wife, Cindy, on their acreage. Steve would always share his vegetables and watermelons from their garden with family and friends. He loved to tinker and work on projects in his shop. Steve built a Go-Kart for his children and a Zero-Turn lawn mower from scratch. He was also an avid sports fan and enjoyed watching the Minnesota Vikings and Twins.

Survivors include his wife, Cindy; daughter, Ramona (Mauricio Diermissen) Ruble; son, Justin (Brooke) Ruble; granddaughter, Addie Ruble; and brother, Daniel (Bonnie) Ruble. He was preceded in death by his parents and three brothers.

A memorial service for Steve will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 29, 2025, at Worlein-Hoff Funeral Home in Austin. The visitation will take place one hour prior to the service at the funeral home on Saturday. Memorials are preferred to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Worlein-Hoff Funeral Homes of Austin are assisting the family with arrangements.