Roy R. Rutherford, 73, Regent, passed away at the West River Regional Medical Center in Hettinger on Tuesday, February 4, 2020. Roy’s Funeral Service will be 2 p.m., Thursday, February 13, 2020 at the American Legion Hall, Regent with Rev. Michael Wolters officiating. Interment will take place at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery, Mandan with Military Honors provided by the Bismarck VFW Honor Guard. There will be a Gathering of Family & Friends on Wednesday from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., at Ladbury Funeral Service, Dickinson. Visitation will be one hour prior to service on Thursday. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to a charity of your choice.
Roy Rutherford was born on April 16, 1946 in Dickinson to Carroll “Kelly” and Avis (Trunkhill) Rutherford. He attended grade school through sixth grade at Madison #3, a country school, and graduated from Regent Public School in 1963. After high school he went on to get an associate degree from the North Dakota State School of Science in Wahpeton.
He then came back home and began farming. Roy joined the Mott National Guard. After Basic and AIT training he returned to Regent and continued to farm. He also drove school bus. Roy and his brother, Jay, did over the road trucking together for a short time.
Roy enjoyed farming and ranching. He baled many bales of hay in his lifetime.
He was a good bowler and looked forward to his weekly bowling with his team. Roy also played a good game of pool with his team. Spending time with his nieces and nephews and their children was always special for him.
Roy wanted kids to be able to have success hunting pheasants. So he opened up some of his land for Youth Hunting every year.
Roy belonged to the Sodbuster’s Saddle Club and the New England Lions. He was also on the Soil Conservation Board for several years.
Roy is survived by his mother, Avis Rutherford, Dickinson; special friend, Lois Laches, Mott; his sister, Carol (Joe) Herberholz, New England; nephews, Jace (Angie) Rutherford, Post Falls, Idaho and Kelly (Amy) Herberholz, New England; nieces, Shelly (Kevin) Cox and Haley Herberholz, Winchester, VA.; and ten great-nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his father, Kelly Rutherford; and his brother, Jay Rutherford.
