Cody Allen Ruegge was born on August 7, 1991, to Natalie Fernau and Larry Ruegge in Atkinson, Nebraska. He died on Monday, November 12, 2007, at the tender age of 16 years, 3 months, and 5 days.

Cody, Tyler, and Natalie lived primarily in the ONeill, NE, area during the boys early grade school years. Cody enjoyed hunting, fishing, and spending time at the Missouri River with his family.

Cody, along with his brother Tyler, came into the lives of Pat and Krystal Vaughn on February 12, 2002, first as foster-sons, then as sons. They lived together in Butte, NE, for the first three years of their lives together, and in Burke, SD, for the past three.

Cody was active in football and basketball throughout middle school and high school. He was employed by Hutchs Honey of Burke for the past two years.

Cody is survived by his parents - Natalie Fernau of ONeill, NE, Larry Ruegge II of ONeill, NE, and Pat & Krystal Vaughn of Burke, SD; sister Sue Fernau of Lincoln, NE; brothers Michael Fernau of Norfolk, NE, Tyler Fernau of Burke, SD, Drake Ruegge of ONeill, NE, Larry Ruegge III of Atkinson, NE; stepbrother Jonathan Emme of Atkinson, NE; grandparents Clint & Terry Burge of Blue Hill, NE, Larry & Marty Ruegge of ONeill, NE, Marlene Russell of Chadron, NE, Ed Serbousek of Hay Springs, NE, and Derald & Jo Vaughn of Burke, SD; great-grandparents Cal & Ardyce Burge of Blue Hill, NE and Dorothy Vaughn of Burke, SD; former foster-parents Larry & Cindy Schmitz of ONeill, NE; as well as many aunts, uncles, cousins, two nieces and one nephew.

Cody was preceded in death by his grandfather, Lyle Fernau.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday, November 15, 2007 at 10:30 AM at the Civic Center in Burke, SD. Burial will be in the Graceland Cemetery, Burke. Visitation will be on Wednesday from 4 to 8 PM at Clausen Funeral Home in Burke.