Kevin Ray Rupp

Kevin Ray Rupp, 73, passed away at his home in Tremonton, Utah with family members by his side, in the early morning hours of Monday, 30 March 2026.

Kevin was born on 23 January 1953 in Murray, Utah to Rheda Mae Young Rupp and Doral Benjamin Rupp. He was the youngest child born to them. In 1963, the Rupp’s moved their family and farming operation to Tremonton, Utah. Kevin was 10 years old at that time and has called Tremonton his home ever since. The farm life, the tranquility of the countryside, the beauty of a grain field ready to be sown and even his cows, suited Kevin well. He was happiest when he was working. To say, “work was also his play,” is an understatement.

Kevin graduated from Bear River High School in 1971. He earned advanced degrees in life by tilling the land and being on the farm. He chose to continue with what he liked most. He and his family ran a dairy farm for many years and only in late years did they have to sell the cows for other means of making a living.

On a cold wintry day of 26 February 1977, with encouragement from his family, Kevin drove into Brigham City, Utah to meet the “beautiful blonde gal with sparkling blue eyes” who worked at Wiggins and Baugh, CPA Company. He went in and asked for Gwen Hauenstein and when he saw her, he asked her to go to lunch and with an answer of, “yes”; both of their lives would change and would never again be the same. Kevin used to say, “the rest is history!” The new couple went out every single week from then on until Kevin asked Gwen to marry him on 29 July 1977 and Gwen, of course, said, “yes” again and he gave her a beautiful diamond to make it all official on her 29th birthday in mid-August and they were married on 4 January 1978 in the Ogden LDS Temple for time and all eternity.

The new couple were eager to begin their lives together and lived in an apartment in downtown Tremonton while their forever home was being built and completed. They also chose to start a family early on and their eldest son, Kirk, was born early the next year followed by their second son, Kelly, and then came their only daughter, Megan.

The family learned to work hard together, and all worked on the family farm doing any task that needed to be done. Kevin showed his family by example how to work hard. Many times, it felt like the burden was heavy but, they followed in Kevin’s footsteps and all the kids and Gwen worked side-by-side doing any task from bottle feeding baby cows, to milking twice per day, and keeping up their land. Many commented on this family’s diligence and integrity and the way they ran the business and the sterling example they all were to the community.

Later in Kevin’s life, he started to learn to enjoy rest as well as play and they were able to do some trips together as a couple and as a family. As the years went by and the business of running a dairy became exceedingly difficult; the family decided it was time to sell the cows.

When this major decision was made, Kevin did a few various jobs including pushing gravel and running a bulldozer for his nephews at Rupp’s Trucking. He really enjoyed operating the heavy equipment. Kevin became a milk truck driver and drove a milk tanker for many years for Dairy Farmers of America. He treasured the friendships that he was able to make with his co-workers, milk suppliers and customers that he worked with. He enjoyed that he could still be involved in the dairy business without all the stress! When Kevin retired from driving the milk truck he was presented with an award for superior work and service.

They were able to travel some to visit their kids and grandkids on some very precious trips, to see lots of things, and create lasting memories all treasured. He enjoyed being a grandpa to his grandchildren and wanted them to remember him.

Some other things that he liked were movies and he could quote lines from many movies verbatim. Kevin was also a “closet” cowboy poet and enjoyed listening to country music. He also liked going to concerts and was an ardent Utah Jazz fan having season tickets for many years.

Kevin and Gwen had a true love between them, and he proudly stated many times that the two of them “never went to bed angry at each other.”

Kevin is survived by his wife that he cherished, Gwen Hauenstein Rupp, and by his beloved children, their spouses, and his grandchildren: Kirk Rupp of Tremonton, Utah, Kelly Rupp (Anita) and their children, Henry Weber and Teddy Rupp of Quincy, Massachusetts, and Megan Andersen (Geoffrey) and their children, Jackson and Paisley of Smithfield, Utah. He is also survived by his brother, DeeLoy Rupp (Jeannee) of Tremonton, nieces, nephews, cousins, and extended family members. All will mourn Kevin’s loss.

He was proceeded in death by his parents, his sister, VaLeen Rasmussen, his in-laws, other family members and friends.

Kevin will be missed. There is an empty spot in all of us that will never be the same without him. “Our lives could be better left to chance. We could’ve missed the pain. But we would have had to miss the dance.”

The family wants to thank his doctor and the hospice team at CNS and all of those who have helped in so many ways as Kevin’s health declined. We love and appreciate each one of you.

A viewing will be held at Rudd Funeral Home, 111 N 100 E in Tremonton, Utah, on Tuesday, April 7, 2026, from 6-8 p.m. There will be another viewing the following morning, Wednesday, April 8 from 9:30 – 10:30 a.m. at the Tremonton LDS 3rd Ward church, 9590 North 6800 West in Tremonton, Utah, directly before the funeral service at 11:00 a.m. Burial will be at the Riverview Cemetery in Tremonton, Utah following the services. The service will be livestreamed and can be accessed below.

DISCLAIMER: WE DO NOT PAN THE CROWD AND THE CAMERA IS FIXED UPON THE PULPIT. WE WILL TRY AND LIVESTREAM THE FUNERAL SERVICE. IF WE ARE UNABLE TO DO SO, DUE TO THE INTERNET SERVICE AT THE CHURCH, A RECORDING WILL BE UPLOADED WITHIN 24-48 HOURS AFTER THE SERVICE.