Obituary for FRANCIS JOHN RUESING
Francis John Ruesing, 88, of Tilden Township, passed away Thursday afternoon, May 7, 2020 at the Englewood Community Hospital in Englewood, Florida.
Fran was born February 18, 1932 in Negaunee to John and Marion (Denofrio) Ruesing and graduated from Negaunee St. Paul High School, Class of 1950. After graduation, he enlisted in the United States Navy, being honorably discharged after serving four years. Following his service to his country, he earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Education from Northern Michigan University and began his career as a teacher, principal and basketball coach at National Mine. He was instrumental in beginning the Red Dust Program, a local, state and national history competition in which National Mine took 1st Place at the national level. Fran continued his education at NMU, earning his Master’s Degree in Administration and eventually retiring as superintendent of NICE Community Schools.
Mr. Ruesing was a devout member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, Ishpeming, St. Paul Catholic Church, Negaunee, as well as St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Englewood, FL, Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church in Soldotna, AK and Discalced Carmelite Nuns, Monastery of the Holy Cross in Iron Mountain. He was also a member of the Paisano Club and a former member of the Knights of Columbus.
Fran was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting and fishing. Following retirement, he enjoyed spending summer months in Alaska and winters in Florida. He was an avid Green Bay Packers and New York Yankees fan. Most importantly, he was a family man who most enjoyed time spent with his loved ones.
Surviving are his two sons, Michael (Jenny) Ruesing of Richmond Township and John ‘Sam’ (Lori) Ruesing of Ishpeming; a daughter, Gina (David) Carriere of Negaunee Township; six grandchildren: Anthony (Katie Hicks), Louis (Monica) and Jeremy Ruesing, Bradley (Anna McBride), Brianna (Dion) and Isabella Ruesing; two great-grandchildren, Matthew Rasanen and Louis Timothy Ruesing; three great-great grandchildren: Hanna, Michael and McKenna; beloved sister, Barbara (Jack) Perala of Negaunee; three stepchildren: Fred Bye, Carolyn Claar and Kathryn (Kevin) Burns; 7 step-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his first wife, Mary Ann (Chiri) Ruesing; his second wife, Lois (Dodendorf) Ruesing; two sons, Louis and Timothy Ruesing; a granddaughter, Maria Ruesing; and his sister, Margene (Bud) Pinkerton.
A Mass of Christian Burial will held at a later date at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Ishpeming. Burial will be in the Negaunee Cemetery. Any memorial considerations may be directed in Fran’s memory to St. Joseph Catholic Church, Ishpeming.
Francis’ memorial page may be viewed at koskeyfuneralhome.com
Fran was born February 18, 1932 in Negaunee to John and Marion (Denofrio) Ruesing and graduated from Negaunee St. Paul High School, Class of 1950. After graduation, he enlisted in the United States Navy, being honorably discharged after serving four years. Following his service to his country, he earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Education from Northern Michigan University and began his career as a teacher, principal and basketball coach at National Mine. He was instrumental in beginning the Red Dust Program, a local, state and national history competition in which National Mine took 1st Place at the national level. Fran continued his education at NMU, earning his Master’s Degree in Administration and eventually retiring as superintendent of NICE Community Schools.
Mr. Ruesing was a devout member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, Ishpeming, St. Paul Catholic Church, Negaunee, as well as St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Englewood, FL, Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church in Soldotna, AK and Discalced Carmelite Nuns, Monastery of the Holy Cross in Iron Mountain. He was also a member of the Paisano Club and a former member of the Knights of Columbus.
Fran was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting and fishing. Following retirement, he enjoyed spending summer months in Alaska and winters in Florida. He was an avid Green Bay Packers and New York Yankees fan. Most importantly, he was a family man who most enjoyed time spent with his loved ones.
Surviving are his two sons, Michael (Jenny) Ruesing of Richmond Township and John ‘Sam’ (Lori) Ruesing of Ishpeming; a daughter, Gina (David) Carriere of Negaunee Township; six grandchildren: Anthony (Katie Hicks), Louis (Monica) and Jeremy Ruesing, Bradley (Anna McBride), Brianna (Dion) and Isabella Ruesing; two great-grandchildren, Matthew Rasanen and Louis Timothy Ruesing; three great-great grandchildren: Hanna, Michael and McKenna; beloved sister, Barbara (Jack) Perala of Negaunee; three stepchildren: Fred Bye, Carolyn Claar and Kathryn (Kevin) Burns; 7 step-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his first wife, Mary Ann (Chiri) Ruesing; his second wife, Lois (Dodendorf) Ruesing; two sons, Louis and Timothy Ruesing; a granddaughter, Maria Ruesing; and his sister, Margene (Bud) Pinkerton.
A Mass of Christian Burial will held at a later date at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Ishpeming. Burial will be in the Negaunee Cemetery. Any memorial considerations may be directed in Fran’s memory to St. Joseph Catholic Church, Ishpeming.
Francis’ memorial page may be viewed at koskeyfuneralhome.com