James Clinton Rue Sr. was born September 8, 1930 to Martin Benjamin and Kjerstine Bertine (Midtaune) Rue. He grew up on a farm near Oak Lake in Brookings County S.D. He attended grade school in District 63 and graduated from Hendricks High School. He helped his dad farm before he went on to work construction where he became superintendent of bridge and road construction for Dave Gustafason Construction of Sioux Falls which he worked for 29 years and he also worked for Weatherton Contracting of Bearsford S.D., Quinn Construction of Rapid City S.D. His talents included running all types of heavy equipment also.

On July 29, 1955 he was united in marriage to Mary Louise Anhorn who he had met in Dallas S.D. after a stock car race.

He is preceded in death by his wife Mary Louise, his parents Martin and Kjerstine, step mother Helen Eberlien Rue, 2 brothers Raymond Martin and Robert Benjamin Rue, Father and mother-in-law Albert and Igena Anhorn.

Survivors include his son James; granddaughter, Jessica; 4 foster daughters: Joanen (Sue) and Leslie of Alaska; Dana of Washington; Deidre (Dee Dee) of Hawaii; 2 sisters: Cecelia Barber of Iowa; and Laura Lee Rue of Nevada; sister-in-law, Ilene (Sam) Burger of Bonesteel and a host of family and friends.

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, December 27, 2005 at 10:30 AM at Clausen Funeral Home in Burke. Burial will be in the Herrick Cemetery, Herrick, SD. Visitation will be Monday from 4 to 8 PM, with a 7:0 PM prayer service, at the funeral home.