Theodore Rugland

Theodore “Ted” Carl Rugland, 79, died Aug. 8, 2007, at Brendan House in Kalispell after a long, brave battle with cancer.

Ted was born Oct. 20, 1927, to Gerhard and Grace Rugland in Appleton, Minn., and married Darlyne “Dolly” Rugland on March 18, 1950.

Ted truly enjoyed his life, his family, and his friends.

In 1986, he moved to Kalispell from Minneapolis. He called Montana “God’s Country,” and as an avid outdoorsman, he spent as much time as he could skiing at Big Mountain, fishing, hunting, and hiking with his friends in the Over-The-Hill Gang at Glacier Park.

Ted was an air cadet in the U.S. Navy from 1945 to 1946. He graduated with bachelor’s degree from Luther College in Iowa in 1949, graduated with a master’s in business administration from Harvard University in 1952, and much later in life got his law degree from the University Of Montana School of Law in 1990.

He worked at International Multifoods for 34 years before retiring, and was vice president of the Industrial Foods Division. After receiving his law degree, he became an attorney and worked as a tribal attorney for the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes of the Flathead Indian Reservation in Pablo from 1990 to 1994.

He was a member of the Montana BAR Association, Minnesota BAR Association, a volunteer fireman and board member of the Smith Valley Fire Department, volunteer for Montana Special Olympics ski races, Big Mountain Ski Dream Program, official for USSA Ski Racing, and member of Northridge Lutheran Church.

Ted was preceded in death by his daughter, Rebecca Sinn.

He is survived by his wife Darlyne; sons Carl Rugland and wife Debra, and Mark Rugland and wife Diane and son-in-law, Chris Sinn; grandchildren Paige Rugland, Jake Rugland, Alan Rugland and Josh Sinn.

A funeral service was held Aug. 14, 2007, at Northridge Lutheran Church, with burial afterward at C.E. Conrad Memorial Cemetery.

The family has requested that memorials be made to the Smith Valley Fire Department.