Beau "Moose" Ruse

Beau Andrew Ruse was born on April 18, 2002. Many knew him better as "Moose," a nickname Beau earned for being the chunkiest baby his family had ever seen (comparisons to the Michelin Man were pretty accurate at the time). But, as he learned to walk, Beau shed the baby fat and never looked back.

As a child, Beau always made those around him laugh (a trait he inherited from his father). He would play silly jokes and run around with other kiddos with what seemed like limitless energy. At times that got him into trouble at school where as a typical "class clown" he spent more time trying to make others laugh than he did memorizing his multiplication tables, but that same humor lit up any room during family gatherings. Whether circled around the dining table playing cards, laughing with the other kids, or sitting close to a grandparent, Beau was always there to make others laugh and smile.

This also translated into time Beau spent with his sister, Bree, as well as Dalton and Sadie. Beau loved his family through and through, and his sister was also one of his best friends. Beau liked to game and one of his favorite activities was playing video games together with the group. They would spend hours together playing, laughing and pressing buttons well into the early hours of the morning (sometimes at the expense of getting out of bed the next morning for school or work).

But what Beau will be best remembered for is his enormous heart and compassion for all living things. Beau always spread joy and love to others and had a deep love of animals. As a kid, he once saved a kitten he found and kept it hidden for days before his parents found out. By that point, Aussie, or "Fat Cat," was home to stay. During family holidays he could often be found cuddled up with the nearest cat or playing (and maybe falling asleep) with the dogs.

Beau was also fortunate to spend much of his childhood surrounded by grandparents (a cherished experience also shared by his sister and cousins). He was especially fond of his Grandma Betty, who he gained a lot of his orneriness from, but also from whom he developed his deep love of family.

And that love of family shined brightest when Beau became an uncle. He absolutely adored his nephews, Kyson and Kohen. Beau would always play with them, making them giggle and shriek, and of course he would spoil them with gifts and toys. A lifetime spent caring for others and making people laugh prepared him to be the best uncle anybody could have asked for.

Beau was preceded in death by his grandparents: Betty and Gary Ruse and Patricia Foster. He is survived by his grandfathers, David Allen Smith and Darrell Foster; his parents: Skye Smith (Jeremy Corson) of Ankeny and Bradley Ruse (Tracey Harvey) of Colo; his sister, Bree (Dalton) Shock of Cedar Falls; and his nephews, Kyson and Kohen.

-Lovingly written by his family.

Per family’s wishes, cremation rites will take place. There will be no formal services held at this time. Mitchell Family Funeral Home has been entrusted to care for Beau and his family. To leave online condolences, please visit www.mitchellfh.com. Ph. 641-844-1234.