Jerry Ruud, 56, died peacefully of cancer, surrounded by family, on Mercer Island, Aug. 21, 2009.

He was born on July 27, 1953, and lived in Lake Lillian, Minn., during the first 11 years of his life; then Willmar, Minn., where he graduated from Willmar High School in 1971. He entered the United States Air Force in 1972. He was wounded during service as a medic in the Native American 1973 uprising at the historical site of Wounded Knee in South Dakota.

Following his stint in the Air Force, Mr. Ruud resided in Rapid City, S.D., where he trained as a saddle maker before returning to Willmar in 1980 to farm with his father and brother.

Allergies got the better of him, redirecting his career to the health care field, working with developmentally disabled adults. He relocated to Washington in 1983, where he resided until his death.

Mr. Ruud’s lifelong passion was horses; riding, training and teaching others to ride. He was active in and served as president of Trail Riding Clubs in Minnesota and South Dakota. He drove sleighs for sleigh rides, drove buggies and stage coaches in parades, trained horses, taught people how to ride as an employee of a dude ranch for several years and lifelong for friends and neighbors.

A gentle and compassionate soul, yet with a fierce streak of independence, Mr. Ruud pursued his passions his whole life. He supported himself through his creative, artistic and carpentry abilities. He designed and built wooden toys, dabbled in cradles, furniture and leatherwork. He built decks, did farm and home repair and improvements, and cared for animals.

Mr. Ruud is survived by his parents, Royce and Norma, of Willmar, Minn.; brother, Randy Ruud, of Lake Stevens, Wash.; sisters, Betty Hedrick (Gary), of Mercer Island, and Becky Hauptli (Darvin), of Willmar, Minn.; and nieces and nephews, Erin, Derek, Alisha, Hannah and Ben.

Memorial services have been held.

Remembrances are suggested to the American Lung Association: American Lung Association National Headquarters, 1301 Pennsylvania Ave. N.W., Suite 800, Washington, D.C., 20004 or online at www.lungusa.org.