Rufus was born May 23, 1912 at Sigourney, IA, the son of Watzik and Essie (Evans) Woods. At an early age he moved with his family to Montana, where he was raised and educated. He was inducted into the U.S. Army on December 2, 1942 at Ft. Warren, WY. He was honorably discharged at Augusta, GA, on August 21, 1943 with the rank of Private First Class. Rufus married Georgia Miller on July 13, 1944 at Billings, MT. They lived there for a time, then Lakota, ND, for a year, then in 1948 moved to Michigan, ND. Rufus worked at the Ford garage in Michigan most of his life as an auto body repairman. He initially worked for Walter Orvik, then Warren Snyder, Milo Elgin, and Maynard Hjelseth. He then worked for Larry Behm in Niagara, ND, before retiring. In 1986, when Georgia moved to the care center in McVille, Rufus began caring for the yard and gardens there. Georgia died December 20, 1993. Rufus loved gardening, and in his younger years he loved working with horses. He continued living in Michigan until November 2001, when he became a resident of the Good Samaritan Center in Lakota. He was a member of the W.L. Cowper American Legion Post #238 of Michigan, and of the Congregational Church in Michigan until its closure.

Rufus is survived by 3 children, Keith (Wanda) Woods of Michigan, ND, Dale Grosse of Mountain Home, ID, and Carlene Farmer of Helena, MT; 1 granddaughter, Tammy (Mike) Jorgenson of Crookston, MN; 6 step grandchildren; 1 step-great granddaughter, Samantha Jorgenson; and 1 sister, Dorothy Neuman of Great Falls, MT.

He was preceded in death by his wife; 4 sisters; 2 brothers; his granddaughter, Deanna Woods; and his daughter, LaVonne Basler.

Rufus' Funeral Service will be held at the Michigan Lutheran Church of Michigan, ND, on Monday, December 1, 2008 at 3:00 p.m. Officiating will be the Reverend Sue Mackey. Music will be provided by Jason Flom. Interment will be in the Michigan Cemetery. Casketbearers will be Rodney Fisk, Warren Snyder, Milo Elgin, Jay Vasichek, Jay Haugen and Tim Anderson. Military Honors will be conducted by the W.L. Cowper American Legion Post #238 of Michigan. Visitation will be held at the Aaker Funeral Home of Lakota, ND, on Sunday, November 30, 2008 beginning at 3:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Visitation will continue at the church on Monday, from 2:00 p.m. until the time of service.