Reuben Jerome Hill

Age 96 of Arden Hills, formerly of Forest Lake. Passed away on August 19, 2019 at Johanna Shores Presbyterian Home in Arden Hills, Minnesota. Reuben was born March 28, 1923 in Jackson County, Minnesota to Inga and Joseph Hill. He grew up in Lakefield, MN along with five sisters. After high school he learned the welding trade at a NYA (National Youth Association) training school in Shakopee. Upon completion he moved to Bremerton, Washington where he was employed as a ship builder. Uncle Sam drafted him into WWII in 1943 to serve in the Army Air corps and shipped him to Scotland and England. He served as a gunner on a B24 Liberator, which flew several night missions over German-held territory in Europe. His duties included dropping newspapers over Holland, bicycle tires to the French resistance, and surrender leaflets to German troops. On its final mission, the plane was heavily damaged while attacking enemy aircraft and later crashed at the airbase in Cheddington, England. Reuben was brought back to the states on VE day. After many months in recovery in army hospitals, he returned home to Lakefield where he was hired by the local lumber yard to learn the business. He met Mildred Covey, a new teacher at the high school. They were married June 30, 1951 in Amboy, MN. During their 68 years of marriage they raised two sons and two daughters and lived in four communities: Ceylon, MN; Armstrong, IA; Blue Earth, MN; and Forest Lake, MN. Reuben worked in the lumber business for 40 years. He managed yards in Ceylon, Armstrong, and Blue Earth before becoming a salesman for Interstate Lumber in Hugo. He retired in 1985 to enjoy hunting, fishing, and traveling. Reuben was an avid storyteller and will be especially remembered for his World War II adventures, his boyhood stories of spending time at his Grandpa Gunderson’s farm, and his many trips taken with family and friends. He enjoyed socializing and was a member of VFW 4210, American Legion, Masonic Lodge, and Faith Lutheran church in Forest Lake. He is survived by his wife Mildred, daughters Lesley (Ronald) Heil of Roseville, Carol Hill of Chaska, his son, Eric Hill of St. Paul and two grandchildren, Ronald Heil III and Sarah Heil, his sister-in-law Mary Jahnz and many nieces and nephews. Preceding Reuben in death were his son Jerome, parents, sisters Hazel Hanson, Pearl Tone, June Thurmer, Inez Hussong, and Sylvia Gravely, three brothers-in-law and one sister-in-law. A memorial service will be held at 2 PM Friday, August 23rd with visitation one hour prior to the service at Faith Lutheran Church, 886 N. Shore Dr., Forest Lake.