Scott Randolph VanRuden

Scott Randolph VanRuden was born September 25th, 1957, to Alfred and Doris VanRuden in St. Paul, Minnesota.  He grew up in Balsam Lake, Wisconsin.  He attended, Unity High school, where he gained the nickname “Scooter”.

Scott spent his life fishing, boating, water skiing, tubing, snowmobiling, 4 wheeling, working on cars and trucks and being a bit of a rebel.

He married Becky VanRuden (Phyle) in 1983, gaining a daughter, Kimberly VanHeuveln (Kowach). Scott and his family continued to spend nearly every weekend “at the lake”, While living in Maplewood, Minnesota, he enjoyed working, tending to his lawn, playing golf, and being a family man.

Scott was a union Boiler Operator, Chemical Mixer, and welder at National Purity Soap and Chemical Company, nearly his entire working career. 

Scott and his family then moved to the Forest Lake area. He and Becky divorced in 1993.

Scott had an impeccable work ethic. He gained a beautiful hobby farm in North Branch where he bred, raised, and showed miniature horses. He loved this property and this life. He began building mud trucks and raced them each year at Trollhaugen.

He met Teresa “Terry” Smith and moved to Shafer. Here she and Scott continued to fish, camp, manage a mobile home park and continue to enjoy the outdoors. Terry stood by his side as his partner, caregiver, and companion for about 17 years. 

Unfortunately, Scott succumbed to a lengthy list of medical complexities that he battled for the last 7 years after becoming a double amputee. That didn't stop him! His body just wasn't as strong as his drive and zest for life. 

Scott was loved by many, his family bound by love, not always by blood.  He was surrounded by many lifelong friends that loved him dearly. 

He is proceeded in death by his parents, Doris and Alfred; brother, Dennis VanRuden; and brother-in-law, Dan Ambourn.

He is survived by his sister, Joye Ambourn; her two children, Shelley Lillie and Jeff Ambourn; former sister-in-law, Gloria VanRuden; and her children, Doug VanRuden, Julie Anderson, Kristina Marquez, many great nieces and nephews, and Scott's own daughter, Kimberly VanHeuveln (Kowach), his dear grandchildren, Alexander Sanchez and Josiah Sanchez, and Scott's stepson.

A celebration of Scott’s life will be held 3-6 PM, with words of love sharing time at 3:30, on June 8th, 2024, at the Forest Lake VFW.

Memorials preferred to the family or can be given through his go fund me link below. 

https://gofund.me/ee3f23fa