Dennis Tuff, age 86, went home to the Lord on Thursday, March 9, 2017 at his home in Rugby, North Dakota.

Dennis George Tuff was born on March 17, 1930 at home on the family farm in Leverich in Pierce County, North Dakota.  The third of four children, born to Ernest and Edith (DuPre) Tuff, he was raised on the family farm and attended grade school at Hendrickson School #4.  In 1948, he graduated from Rugby High School.  Following high school, he attended the North Dakota State College of Science, majoring in Electrical Technology and became a licensed master electrician.  Between 1951 and 1956, he served in the U.S. Army, stationed in Korea and Germany.  On February 18, 1956, he was united in marriage to Lore Eisele at Kelly Barracks in Stuttgart, Germany.  Following his honorable discharge, they returned to Rugby in March of 1956.  He purchased farmland near Rolla, North Dakota in the fall of 1957.  He then, farmed and worked for local electricians until 1969 when he made an agreement with James McDougall to farm his land.  He was proud that they had sealed their agreement with a handshake.  The land is now farmed by Jim’s son and grandson, John and Scott McDougall and family.  He loved being on his farm, assisting with harvest in his younger years and riding along in the combine his later years.  In 1969, he also started his own business, Dennis Tuff Electric, which he owned and operated for many years.  He had his private pilot’s license for many years and enjoyed flying family and friends around the area.  He was a member of the First Lutheran Church in Rugby, the American Legion, the Eagles and the Moose Club.

Denny was a loving husband, father and grandfather and he lived his life to the fullest and was active until the end.  He enjoyed many activities, such as gardening, golfing, traveling, winters in Florida, bike-riding, polka music, reading and spending time with family and friends.  He will be dearly missed.

Dennis is survived by his wife, Lore; daughters, Jeanne (Kevin) Holliday of Vancouver, WA and Njony Walton of Rugby; grandchildren, Dustin Walton of Bismarck, Kyle Holliday of Vancouver, WA, Josh Walton of Rugby, Dylan Holliday of Lakewood, CO, Cheyene Morrow of Rugby; sister, Vivian “Bing” Shuley of Pullman, WA; sister-in-law, Lois Tuff of Rugby; special friends, John and Maxine Fiorini of Daytona, FL; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.  He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Leslie Tuff; sister, Muriel Opstedal; granddaughter, Brittany Walton; and brothers-in-law, Allen Shuley and Lloyd Opstedal.

Military Honors Accorded by: The Clarence Larson American Legion Post #23 Honor & Color Guard of Rugby, ND
The North Dakota Military Funeral Honors Detail

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Friday, March 17^th at First Lutheran Church in Rugby with spring burial in the Persilla Watts Cemetery, Rugby.  Pastor Mike Pretzer, officiating.

Visitation will be held from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Thursday with a prayer service and sharing of memories beginning at 7:00 p.m. at the Anderson Funeral Home in Rugby.  Visitation will continue for one hour prior to the time of services at the church on Friday.