Ruben J. Christian

Ruben “Rube” J. Christian, of Columbus, left this world on Tuesday, June 24, 2025 at The Meadows of Fall River.

Rube was born on December 19, 1932 to Ruben and Edna Christian. He attended Zion Lutheran School in Columbus and Graduated from Columbus High School. Rube was very proud that he was part of the football team, and they were the first to win a state championship for Columbus. He was a member of the Wisconsin National Guard for several years.

In 1956, he married Dolores Derr at St. Joseph Catholic Church in East Bristol. Together they had three children, Dawn (Kevin) Kunkel, Debra (Johnathon) Stadler and Jon (Kris) Christian. He had five grandchildren, Heather, Eric, Krista, Kendra and Jaclyn; five great grandchildren, Amelia, Piper, Claire, Niahm and Henry. Rube also has an AFS daughter, Leda Cortes Masis of Costa Rica, who has come to visit him several times. Rube and Dolores made the trip to her home as well.

Rube worked for the Columbia County Highway Department for several years before many years of over-the-road semi driving for Nuendorf, ANR and ATL. Yet to this day, he will always meet someone who will say, “You were my school bus driver.”, which he did for a few years, part-time.

Rube enjoyed tinkering in his shop. He was always tinkering to “make something work”. He is probably the only person to own five John Deere lawn mowers and one Scag; it seemed like a mower for every project.

Rube was from a family of 14, of which ten are deceased and four are living. Rube is also survived by his wife, Dolores and his canine best friend, Charlie.

A celebration of Rube’s life will be held at the Columbus Country Club on Sunday, July 27, 2025 from noon until 3 p.m.

The family would like to thank Katy and Jimmy for their wonderful care, SSM Hospice, Generations Hospice, Home Instead and The Meadows.

Memorials may be made in Ruben J. Christian’s name to Columbus Museum, PO Box 144, Columbus, WI 53925.