In February 2000 Rufus Pioneer Cemetery was dedicated by Joseph Mee as a Pioneer Cemetery per House Bill 3378, regarding burial places with remains of one or more persons who died before February 14, 1909. After a short dedication ceremony with Rufus Mayor Cliff Jett and Sherry Kaseberg, Joseph Mee installed the cemetery sign. He paid for the construction of a 100’ x 120’ chain link fence around the Cemetery and installed a permanent marker and a sign on the fence to preserve this historic site, believing at the time that at least 16 persons are buried there.