Rachelle was 4 years old and Renee was 2!  The joy you see in Renee was so special.  They were the best blessing God gave us. 

This was taken in Maryland at a family reunion.  What a blessing Rachelle was to us and many others.  Ruben loved her with all his being. 

This picture was taken at our wedding.  Chuck was Ruben's best man.  Ruben was so happy that Chuck and his family could come. Naomi played the organ.  It was a blessed day...one day in time that even the community in Kintore, Ontario has not forgotten.  
Ruben and Chuck were very close and now they celebrate Ruben's Birthday in Heaven together.

This was taken at a family wedding in Chicago.  We were blessed with 2 beautiful daughters. They were the sunshine in our lives. 

I adored your smile. I cherished your hugs. I admired your heart   Happy 82ND birthday in heaven and what would have been 44 years together on earth. 

Remembering the good times!

You were a blessing to many. 

This was the happiest day of my life 

Grace 

As we are about to celebrate dad's 80th birthday this month I came upon this photo of Dad with Ruben and Perry..  I'm sure he would have loved to share his day with them both and will be thinkng fondly of Uncle Ruben on his special day.

Ruben was my ”best friend” and big hero when I was six years old. He was thirtyone and a friend of our family in the little town of Tranås in Sweden. Ruben often visited our family and he always had time for me. When we built our summerhouse by the lake Sommen in 1965 he helped my dad and I have many memories from that time. When I came home from my first days at school, I was eager to show all my new books to Ruben. He was patient, listened and payed a lot of attention to me. I never liked the idea, when he told me he was about to move to Canada. I really hoped that he would soon return to Sweden. I was seven when he left and we never met again in this life. 

Now I´m 53, but the six-year-old in me still remembers Ruben and how important he was to me and my family. He left Tranås and Sweden when I was seven and now he has left this earth. But the hope of meeting again has not left. 

/Göran Brittsjö

Grace and Ruben loved to go to dinner.  Cracker Barrel, Bob Evans, didn't matter....this was Max N' Ermas, my favorite place, they just smiled and broke bread.  Shared wisdom at every meal, I try to recall every word he spoke to me, because they were all deep and from the heart lessons.  I love this couple.  The best spiritual Father and Mother I could ask for.  I will miss him teasing the waitresses and saying such funny things. :)

For Easter this day, the kids and I went with Grace and Ruben to the Sand Scultures that were absolutely beautiful.  Each year this was something that we would do, and 3 years ago, Grace and Ruben pulled up and took the kids for me to bring them some joy while I was going through a hard divorce.  They helped to make sure we were always smiling.  The kids were touching the sand and got yelled at and Ruben stepped up and said "they are children, you don't know what they are going through, let them play".  I remember so well.  He was always for the children no matter who they were, he loved them all.  Thanks for loving mine!!!

I have been given one of the most precious gifts to have Grace and Ruben's love for one another be so apparent and present every time I spent time with them.  What an example of God's love.  Great mentor to follow and look up to in this couple.  40 years of wedded bliss.  Thanks for being an example to me as a single mother and to my children.

Ruben always treated me like one of his own children, and never missed a birthday party for my children.  He was always making everyone laugh and was as gentle as a dove.  He was a grandpa that my children didn't have.  So much fun.  Abby just turned 7 this year.  And I have twin boys that turned 10 in March.  He was like a member of our family, he was a Father in the Kingdom of God to me.  So blessed to have him and Grace in our lives.

As his daughters passed through Findlay Schools, I came to know Ruben.  His love of family, life, music, and his church was always evident.  I loved how he always had a twinkle in his eye.  The last time I had the pleasure to talk with Ruben, we were having a hot dog at Kieth's DugOut.  Even though he will be greatly missed by family and friends, he is now making even more beautiful music with the Master.

To Grace, Rachelle, Renee, and all the family, our prayers and thoughts are with you.

Jim (JD) and Penni smith 

Ruben was was such a big part of my childhood memories.  I  remember him as always being  fun, kind, and patient. The most impactful memory I have of him is when I was 10 years old.....the year my older sister (Cindy) passed away.  People seemed to forget about my younger sister and I during that time....not Ruben.  He was one of the very few that remembered us.  He took my sister and I shopping to buy us a new outfit.   The memory is so vivid to me!!  Ruben said "go pick what ever you want".  To a young girl that is like music to the ears.  I can still remember the outfit.....bright purple pants and an orange sweater.  That day I felt like a little princess and saw God's love in action.

Ruben was so thoughtful and was always looking for ways to bless our family. He had so much energy and everytime he was around life felt a little more hopeful and fun!

Everyone knew how much Ruben loved Jesus.  He made his walk with the Lord a top priority.  Now Ruben is home with the Lord.  We will miss him dearly.  Sorry for your huge loss of an amazing husband and father.

I will never forget our visits to your home when your daughters were small and our sons were small. We had such wonderful times. Reuben would sing and Grace would play the piano. I look back on all this and thank God for such true friends.

Reuben and Henry would talk almost every other week on the phone. They mostly talked about  Jesus and when He was coming back again. Well, now they can sit together and enjoy a cup of coffee, they are now home.  

Thank you for sharing your love over the years to us.Reuben will be remembered for his great love for his heavenly Father. 
We will see you soon.        

My first real memory of Mr. Johnsson is when I came home with Rachelle with one weekend during our college years. He entertained us with stories and shared some beautiful thoughts on Jesus. I remember how his daughters played the piano and sang while I listened. The delight on his face was evident. It was a wonderful weekend away from dorm life and gave me a love for my dear friend's family. Over the years, Ruben and Grace have shared their love and concern for me via Rachelle. Their hospitality reached further than a place to sleep or a meal to be had. Once I had come into their home, they extended their encouragement and prayers for years to come. I can see how their generosity has been passed on to their children. I am so glad the He is with His Creator. It is something that Ruben always looked to with joy. 

I have many fond memories of talking across the fence with my neighbor Reuben.  We would stop our lawn mowers, and just visit mostly about our mutual friend - Jesus.

Heaven is now his home.  And Reuben knew in his knower where he was going.  WELCOME HOME REUBEN.....

Jim Tussing