Kristi "Kris" L. (Mamer) Ruckheim

Kristi “Kris” L. (Mamer) Ruckheim, age 53, of Parkers Prairie, died unexpectedly on Wednesday, June 19, 2024, at her home. 

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m., Friday, June 28, 2024, at St. James Lutheran Church in South Effington Township, Parkers Prairie with Rev. Scott Brown officiating. Music is provided by organist, Vickie Schauland. Private family interment will be at St. James Catholic Cemetery, rural Dawson. 

Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m., Thursday, June 27, at Lind Family Funeral Home in Alexandria and will continue one hour prior to the service at the church.

Kris was born on May 16, 1971, to James and Karen (Anhalt) Mamer in Montevideo. She was baptized and confirmed at St. James Catholic Church in Dawson. Kris graduated from Dawson-Boyd High School in 1989, and continued her education at Alexandria Technical College, studying Sales and Marketing. After completing her education, she worked part-time at a drugstore in the Alexandria mall.

Kris began working at the Star convenience store in Alexandria, where she eventually became the manager. While working at Star, she met Jeff Towner and they were married on November 27, 1993, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Carlos. Together they were blessed with a son, Alex. Kris and Jeff later separated, and she continued working at Star. She then met Brad Ruckheim, and after several years together, they married on October 13, 2007, at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Alexandria. Through this union, Kris gained a daughter, Courtney.

Kris continued her career at Alex Marine in their billing and accounting department, enjoying the perk of renting boats on the weekends. Also, during this time, she worked part-time on the weekends for 16 years at the Miltona liquor store and bar, where she met many friends. After Alex Marine closed, she started working at Alex Power, where she found a second family and loved her job. In the fall of 2018, Kris met Pat Debilzen, and they have been inseparable ever since.

Kris was known for being kind, loving, and caring, always willing to do anything for anyone. She never forgot friends' or family members' birthdays and made them feel special by sending cards. Family was the most important thing to Kris, and she always made sure to be there for them.

Kris was an active member of St. James Lutheran Church and enjoyed her weekly Wednesday night Bible study. She loved snowmobiling, hunting, camping, gardening, and caring for birds and animals. Kris also enjoyed playing table games like cards, marbles, and board games, as well as scrapbooking and making homemade cards. She traveled across the U.S. with Pat, enjoyed four-wheeling, going for drives, and being outdoors. Kris was also a dedicated NASCAR fan, rarely missing a race and even cherishing the opportunity to attend a few in person. Weekends spent at Lake Mary were among her favorite times.

She was preceded in death by her maternal grandparents, Harold and Leona Anhalt; paternal grandparents, Leo and Mary Mamer; and parents, James and Karen Mamer. 

Kris is survived by her son, Alex Towner of Sebeka; daughter, Courtney (Chris VanValkenburg) Ruckheim of Carlos; special friend, Pat Debilzen of Vining; granddaughter, Letti VanValkenburg; brother, Jason (LeAnn) Mamer; nephew, Bryce (fiancée, Kiersti) Mamer; niece, Megan Mamer; special family, Nathen Debilzen, Rachel (fiancé, Andy) Klimek, Shane (Kayla) Debilzen, Austyan, Jayden, and Peyson Debilzen, and Charlie and Mary Ruckheim; along with a host of friends. 

Urnbearers are Alex, Courtney, Bryce, and Megan. Honorary urnbearers are Letti, Nathen, Rachel, Shane, Austyan, Jayden, and Peyson.