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The Ruud's story begins in 1914, when Ivar Ruud arrived in Oregon City on his way to Monitor, Oregon. He missed the trolley to take him to Monitor, and noticed a large Jewelery store, Burmeister and Andresen's, on the corner. He went inside, introduced himself, and asked if they had need of a watchmaker. They did, and hired him immediately. He worked there until his death in 1953.
His son, Nils, worked there after graduating from school, and apprenticed under his father's watchful eye. It was there that he met, and later married Jo Toal (neé Sanetel). They had one son, Gary. In 1967, Burmeister and Andresen closed it's doors, leaving Nils and Jo with a decision to make about Nils' employement. They took a chance, borrowed a little money, and opened Ruud's Jewelers. Nils worked there alone for a few years (Jo had a job at a real estate agency in Portland), but when their son Gary graduated from school, he came to work for his father. In those days, you had to be licensed to be a watchmaker in the state of Oregon, and Gary apprenticed under his father's expert tutoring.
Gary married his high school sweetheart, Reneé Wedding, in 1972, and they had two children - Michelle, born in 1975, and Katie Jo, born in 1980. When Michelle was a Sophomore in high school, she began working alongside her grandfather in the store, learning the jewelers trade from him. By the time Nils and Jo retired at the end of 1999, Michelle was well able to step in and take her grandfather's place in the family business.
Although he retired in 1999, Nils still is an active part of Ruud's Jewelers. He's there every day, helping out, and keeping a watchful eye on the family's good name.
Michelle's son, Gannon, also is a fixture at the store, along with his cousin Brennan, who is Katie's son. This year (2007), Katie is joining the family business working with her sister and learning the trade.
The whole family prides itself on being honest, hardworking, and putting customer service foremost in it's business strategy.
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