Gregory Donald Von Ruden, age 73, a longtime resident of Owatonna, Minnesota, passed away peacefully on January 27, 2026, in New Prague, Minnesota, after a courageous battle with Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML). Greg passed away on his 73rd birthday. Greg was born on January 27, 1953, in Owatonna, Minnesota, to Raymond Edward Von Ruden and Delores Dorothy (Mertinke) Von Ruden, both of whom preceded him in death. He was also preceded in death by his grandparents: Ernest Arthur Mertinke and Ida Martha (Sell) Mertinke, and Joseph John Von Ruden of Claremont, Minnesota, and Anna Gertrude (Marsolek) Von Ruden, born in Independence, Wisconsin.

Greg spent his early childhood in Claremont, Minnesota, before his family relocated to Owatonna, where he lived for the remainder of his life. He graduated from Owatonna High School and later earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Winona State University in Winona, Minnesota. In his youth, Greg achieved the rank of Eagle Scout through Boy Scouts of America, Gamehaven Council, Troop 253, sponsored by St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Owatonna—an accomplishment he was quietly proud of, though he rarely spoke of it.

Following college, Greg worked alongside his father in the family business, General Equipment Company, where he served for many years in a sales Manager role. After his father’s passing, Greg transitioned into various roles, including self-employment, where he combined his technical skill and creativity by building custom street rod cars for others, including a street rod built for a former NFL MVP quarterback, along with work completed for other notable individuals. In later years, Greg also worked part-time at the O’Reilly Auto Parts store in Owatonna, a role that aligned naturally with his lifelong passion for automobiles.

Greg also had a deep and enduring love of aviation and held a private pilot’s license. That passion led him to the EAA (Experimental Aircraft Association) AirVenture, held annually each July in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. In recent years, attending Oshkosh became especially meaningful, as Greg began traveling to the event with several of his brothers and nephews, turning it into a cherished annual family tradition. What began as a shared interest in aviation grew into a lasting bond and something Greg looked forward to each year.

Following the passing of his mother in 2015, Greg became increasingly active with his siblings, nieces, and nephews, valuing time together and strengthening family connections that meant a great deal to him.

Greg is survived by all nine of his siblings: Dennis Von Ruden and his wife Julie of Owatonna; Richard Von Ruden and his wife Diane of Owatonna; Nancy (Von Ruden) Glentz and her husband Joe of Maplewood, Minnesota; Philip Von Ruden of Cave Creek, Arizona; Nicholas Von Ruden of Minneapolis, Minnesota; Vincent Von Ruden and his wife Suzanne of Broomfield, Colorado; Theresa (Von Ruden) Brady and her husband Marty of Zimmerman, Minnesota; Christopher Von Ruden and his wife Sandy of Carver, Minnesota; and his youngest brother, Theodore Von Ruden of Los Angeles, California. He is also survived by many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews.

Memorial service for Greg will be held at 12pm on Friday, May 15, 2026, at Michaelson Funeral Home, 1930 Austin Road in Owatonna. A visitation will be held from 10:30am until the time of service with a light lunch to follow. A private family interment will be held at Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery in Owatonna.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Greg’s memory to an AML related charity, such as the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

Greg will be deeply missed and forever remembered by those who knew and loved him.