Rueben Abraham Cornelsen

Rueben Abraham Cornelsen, 86, longtime Moses Lake resident, passed away on Thursday, May 31, 2007, at Samaritan Hospital and returned to his loving Heavenly Father.

Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday, June 7, 2007, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Nelson Road Chapel with Bishop Frank Bruneel of the Moses Lake 3rd Ward conducting. Interment will follow in Pioneer Memorial Gardens with the flag presentation by the Boy Scouts of America. Arrangements are in care of Kayser's Chapel & Crematory. Family will greet friends at the funeral home on Wednesday evening from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. and at the Church on Thursday from 9 a.m. until 9:45 a.m.

Rueben was born April 1, 1921, in Minidoka, Idaho to Abraham Detrick and Katherine Rogalsky Cornelsen.

He was known by all as a man of integrity and honesty. He had a wry sense of humor, a mischievous sparkle in his eye and a zeal for life. He found great joy in serving the Lord and in spending time with his family.

Rueben married his high school sweetheart, Mary Agnes Maxwell, on Feb. 27, 1943, in Grass Valley, Calif. while in training for the Army. They were sealed together June 1, 1944, for time and all eternity in the Salt Lake Temple. Together they raised four sons and one daughter.

Rueben loved his country and served proudly in the Amphibian Tank Corp during World War II in the Pacific Theater. He was awarded the Bronze Star for bravery in action.

In 1955, Rueben and Mary moved their young family from Rupert, Idaho to homestead a farm in the Royal Slope area of the Columbia Basin. Rueben sold farm equipment for many years. After moving to Moses Lake he retired from Rogers Foods.

Rueben served faithfully in many callings in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He served as Counselor in four Bishoprics and twice on the High Council. His greatest joy came from working with the youth in The Boy Scouts of America where he served for many years. He achieved the high honor of Silver Beaver. After retiring, he and his eternal companion served five wonderful missions together in Huntington, W. V.; Adam-ondi-amon, Mo.; Boise, Idaho; Spokane, Wash. and a Stake Mission in Ritzville, Wash..

Rueben is survived by his sons Raymond (Shauna) Riverton, Utah; Gordon (Roma) Warden; Dee (Darla) Moses Lake; Kevin (JoLyn) Battle Ground, Wash., and daughter Dawna Cornelsen, Bothell, Wash. He leaves behind 19 grandchildren and 37 great-grandchildren, a sister Leona Ballinger, a sister-in-law Zelda Penner and many loved ones and friends. He is preceded in death by his dear wife Mary, a great-grandson Landen Michael Cornelsen, his parents, his sister Elsie Freeman, and his brother Menno Penner.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Alzheimer's Association, 12721 30th Ave. N.E., Suite 101, Seattle, WA 98117 or to The Boy Scouts of America, Grand Columbia Council, 12 N. 10TH Ave., Yakima, WA 98902; http://www.grandcolumbiabsa.org/.