Reuben Ebeling, 96, Owatonna
Reuben Duane Ebeling, 96, of Owatonna, died Thursday, Aug. 21, 2025, at Benedictine Living Community.
He was born July 12, 1929, in Meriden Township, Steele County, the son of Reuben Paul and Edna (Anderson) Ebeling. He attended school at District 39 in Meriden Township for eight years, at the top of his class, and graduated from Owatonna High School in 1946, at 16 years old.
Taking the oath to join the Minnesota National Guard in October 1947 and served at Fort Rucker in Alabama before being discharged in October 1951.
Reuben was united in marriage to LaDonna Jean Standke on May 22, 1951, at St John Lutheran Church in Owatonna. Upon returning to Minnesota his father-in-law recommended that he apply for a job at Manke Brothers Service Station. He worked there for nearly 50 years as bookkeeper, television repairman and also sales, retiring in 2001.
Reuben was very involved in many organizations over his lifetime. He was an active member of the 4-H Meriden Skippers, Junior Livestock, the Owatonna Eagles, and he also volunteered with Meals on Wheels. He held the secretary position in the Eagles Bowling League. He bowled a perfect game and then at the age of 93 scored a 10 strike 283-point game. Reuben was a pioneer of softball in Owatonna and was very proud of how softball has grown in Owatonna over the years. After he retired, Reuben picked up golf and got a hole in one at Havana Hills Golf Course.
Reuben and LaDonna loved to dance and met each other on the Monterey Ballroom dance floor. They were members of Polka Lovers Club of America, they were avid dancers and were frequently seen at different venues. Reuben and LaDonna loved to travel making it to all 50 states and several trips to Europe.
He is survived by his wife LaDonna Ebeling of Owatonna; children, Dennis (and Christy) Ebeling of Owatonna, Debra (and Michael) Hershberger of Clarksburg, Md., Dawn Ebeling of Ellicott City, Md., Darwin (and Judi) Ebeling of Columbia, Md.; grandchildren, Melissa, Mara, Marcus, Kira, Mitchel, Elizabeth, and Emma; great-grandchildren, Arianna, Vincent, Lilliana, Franklin, Jack, Dean, Sylvia, and Emilia; brother, James (and Carole) Ebeling; sister-in-law, Arlene (and Ted) Sorensen; brother-in-law, Dale (and Sue) Standke, and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Reuben and Edna Ebeling; siblings, Lois (and John) Gerberding, Darrell (and Marilyn) Ebeling, Marjorie Ebeling, Marlene (and Herman) Gabbert.
Memorials are preferred to St. John Church, Benedictine Living Community, Aliana Hospice, or to the donor’s choice.
Michaelson Funeral Homes of Owatonna is handling the funeral arrangements.