Carole Rufus

Minot

On May 2, 2025, while being cared for by the Benedictine Care Center in Garrison, ND, our beloved mother, grandmother, and wife, Caroline (Carole) Jean Rufus, at 98 years old went to live with the Lord for the rest of eternity.

Waiting for her was her loving husband, James G. Rufus, along with her oldest son Pat Rufus and her only daughter and best friend Carolyn Jill Rufus Gessner (Always known as Jill by family and friends.)

Other family members that preceded her in passing were her parents Elsie and Alex Levadney, her brothers Roy, Pete, Clarence, Lawrence, and Edwin Levadney as well as one of her sisters Claire Levadney.

Carole is survived by her sons Lee Rufus of Missoula, MT. and Terry and Galen Rufus, of Minot. Also her sister Delores Levadney Gallagher of Minneapolis, MN. And her youngest brother Paul Levadney of Minot.

Other surviving members of her family and friends are her sister-in-law, Eileen (Pete) Levadney, their sons, Kenny and Raymond Levadney all of Minot. Daughter-in-law, Allene (Pat) Rufus and their sons Grant and Scotty Rufus all of Fargo, ND, son-in-law Warren (Jill) Gessner of Garrison, ND, and their daughter Sydney Gessner (Matt) Hiatt with their daughters Cameron and Hadley of Washburn, ND. Galen’s daughter Miranda Rufus of Billings, MT. Close friends Susan Rufus (Lee) Thompson of Kansas City, MO, and Kari Haugerud (Galen) of Surrey, ND.

In addition Lee’s son Justin Rufus and daughter Isla Rufus of Kansas City, MO, Lee’s daughter Nicole Rufus (Matt) Wrobleski with daughter Mila and son James Wrobleski all of San Diego, CA. Lee’s son Jared Rufus with daughter Calia and son Wyatt Rufus all of Parrish, FL.

Plus, Carole had many nieces and nephews too many to name but she loved them all the same.

Carole (as all friends and family called her) was born Caroline Jean Levadney in Max, ND on September 2, 1926. She grew up on the family farm six miles north and east of Max and later graduated from Max High School in 1943. As a farm girl working hard was just a part of life like all kids had to do back then. During that time, in addition to her normal chores and responsibilities of farm life she also was a bookkeeper for her father’s numerous entrepreneurial businesses.

As a farm girl she also learned how to be an excellent cook and canner. She could throw a three course meal together in minutes that would make any chef jealous. Cooking, canning, and raising chickens are things she loved to do throughout her life and many times she would give a lot of it away to family and friends. That was the main reason the family moved to a home in Meadowbrook (Minot) in 1963 with a couple acres to raise and grow her hobbies. She always had a huge garden accented by a variety of flowers which also attracted a lot of birds. She loved her flowers and birds and continued to raise and feed them even after she moved to a town with a small yard after her loving husband passed in 1988.

Carole could make friends with anybody in minutes, even complete strangers. She was a very independent lady with her own strong viewpoints and opinions. But she always wanted people to “just get along and do what’s best”.

She was a housewife and mother for many years until all the kids went off to school. Even during that time at home, she had a small business out of the house it was called “Reweaving”. She would repair holes in people’s expensive clothes made from all different fabrics. It took a very special talent to do that kind of weaving in very fine fabric and without glasses.

After the kids were in school, she went to work outside the home, but never quit her gardening, canning, and cooking. She worked as a waitress/cook at different restaurants since that was common double duty then. Her and her husband James also owned and operated a dry cleaning business in Minot for a few years as well as the Velva Tavern. She would work full time at those establishments including back and forth to Velva 6-7 days a week (clean the bar on Sundays) and dad would go there every evening after work to help out.

Carole had a good life of 98 years and was never one to complain. She was very generous, worked hard, and helped out family and friends whenever asked. She was greatly loved and will be missed by all who knew her.

A memorial will be hosted in her name at a later date this summer so friends and family will have a chance to plan and come from out of state for the event. Notice will be sent, please provide your contact information to lelanr52@gmail.com if you would like to attend.

Published by The Minot Daily News, May 10, 2025