Rueben A. Payson

Rueben Payson, 78, a resident of Fergus Falls, died Monday, March 30, 2015, at Sanford Hospital in Fargo, ND, surrounded by his family.

Rueben Alfred Payson was born in Forest WI on February 25, 1937 to Alfred and Helga (Thompson) Payson. He attended school through 8th grade in Clear Lake WI.

In 1955 he married Phoebe Olson, who was a widow with two young daughters. To their union were born six children.

Rueben was a truck driver most of his life. He was sometimes gone for weeks at a time as a long hauler, but in later life owned his own rig and was home more often. He wanted to own a bar before he retired, so in 1989, they moved from California to Elizabeth MN and bought Payson Place. They later bought Wee Town and finally owned the Silver Dollar for several years before they retired. He also enjoyed working for Shopko Pharmacy doing home deliveries during the last few years.

He enjoyed spending time with his family and friends, watching westerns on TV, listening to Gaither gospel music, fishing, mowing his lawn, sitting with his dog Sissy and gathering where there was good food.

Preceding him in death were his parents; step-father, Don Ivey; infant son Gregory Payson; brother-in-law, Harold Stanford; niece, Lisa Garvin; uncle, Andy Anderson; infant great-grandsons, Parker Kort and Renny Olson.

He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Phoebe Payson; sons, Jeffrey (Noelle) Payson of Royce City, Texas, Michael (Connie) Payson of Fergus Falls; daughters, Debbie (David) Cook Payson of Albuquerque NM, Chris (Gary) Anderson, Jackie (Dean) Hanneman, Cindy (Bill Kacer) Kort, Cathy (Bob Barker, Jr) Payson all of Fergus Falls; grandchildren, Joseph (Lindsey) Payson of Needles CA, Russell (Malia Tofoya) Payson of Albuquerque NM, Clayton (Darla) Wilson of San Diego CA, Brian Bishko stationed in Singapore, Jessica Payson of Big Bear Lake, CA, Amanda (John) Stalnik stationed in Guam, Becca (Pat Balsiger) Wulf of Audubon, MN, Alisha Payson, Ashlie (Kyle) Schulz, Daniel (Tanya) Kort, Malerie Kort all of Fergus Falls, Jacob (Cassie Carlson) Payson, Ryan (Stepahanie Kohlhase) Payson, Abby (Chuck) Walker all of Fargo ND, Janeice Jacobson (Duane Olson) of Superior WI, Daniel (LeAnna) Jacobson of Norco CA, Jeffrey (Ashley) Jacobson of Henderson NV; great-grandchildren, Seth Payson, Ryly Payson, Reese Payson, Chase Rammell, Davin Rammell, Jayton Payson, Jamison Stalnik, Brody Bowman, Evan Bowman, Calvin Schulz, Landon Schulz, Violet Schulz, Easton Kort, Brennan Kort, Becker Kort, Blake Walker, Maddy Walker, Barrett Walker, Austin Collins, Zacharey Jacobson, Maitland Jacobson, Ethan Jacobson, Hailey Jacobson, Savannah Hermant, Travis Hermant; siblings, David (Debbie) Payson, Inez (Larry) Paullus, Charlotte Stanford, Gail (Cloyed) Burris, Terry (Ron) Wooldridge, Harland Payson, Kenneth (Yvonne) Bird, Robert (Lisa) Davis; aunt, Mildred Thompson of Sioux Falls SD, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Visitation: 5-7 pm Thursday, April 2, 2015, with a 7 pm prayer service at Olson Funeral Home in Fergus Falls.
Olson Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.