LAVERN PETER RUTKOSKI
80, of Cass City, passed away peacefully Friday, October 16, 2020 in McLaren Bay Region, Bay City. He was born September 22, 1940 at home in Cumber, the sixth of fifteen children born to Enick and Helen (Jurkowski) Rutkoski. He married Carol Ann Walmsley September 7, 1963 in St. Pancratius Church, Cass City.
LaVern graduated in 1958 from Cass City High School. He worked as a Process Engineer at General Cable for thirty-eight years, earning patents and accolades for his work. One of his proudest accomplishments was designing and building his family’s home in Cass City, where he raised his three children with Carol and provided a nurturing environment for his three grandchildren. LaVern enjoyed woodworking, gardening, and his John Deere tractor. He shared these hobbies with his family, teaching them the importance of hard work, faith and compassion. A sports fan, LaVern cheered for the University of Michigan, the Detroit Pistons and the Detroit Tigers. LaVern and Carol traveled extensively, visiting Italy, Ireland and the United Kingdom, as well as friends and family throughout the United States.
LaVern was well known in the community as a generous and hard-working man with an enthusiasm for mentoring others and helping people in need. He was an active member and leader of the Knights of Columbus Thumb Council and organized many events at his church like the annual Potato Drive, Tootsie Roll drive and Fish Fry’s. LaVern started each day with a cup of coffee with his good friends at Nick’s discussing the news of the Thumb.
LaVern is survived by his wife, Carol Ann; children: Lisa Marie (Kirk) Winter of Cass City; Christine Ann (Randolph) Hasson of Merritt Island, FL; Matthew James (Erin Hitchins) Rutkoski of Chicago, IL; grandchildren: Brennan (Tiffany) Winter, Chase Winter, Emily Hasson; siblings: Herb Rutkoski of Cass City, Catherine Keahn of Utica, Ron (Caroline) Rutkoski of Decker, Veronica (Gary) Priestly of Caro, JoAnne (Tom) Osantowski of Cass City, Larry (Ann) Rutkoski of Essexville, Patti (Rennie Sandercott) Willcocks of Sterling Heights, Mike (Cecelia) Rutkoski of Columbus, OH; sister-in-law, Joanne Rutkoski of Ocala, FL; many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; siblings: Mildred (Ralph) Orzel, Frank Rutkoski, Lucille Rutkoski, Phyllis (Del) Lowrie, Jeanne Rutkoski, Rosemary Rutkoski; brother-in-law, Gerald Keahn; sister-in-law, Kay Rutkoski.
Funeral service held 11 a.m. Thursday, October 22, 2020 in Our Lady Consolata Parish, St. Pancratius Catholic Church, Cass City with Rev. Theo Nnabugo officiating. Interment in Elkland Township Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Our Lady Consolata Parish, St. Pancratius Catholic Church, Knights of Columbus, or the American Heart Association. Friends may share memories, prayers and photos with the family at www.kranzfuneralhome.com.
Visitation: 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday, October 21, 2020 in Kranz Funeral Home, Cass City
10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Thursday, October 22, 2020 in St. Pancratius Catholic Church, Cass City
Arrangements by
Kranz Funeral Home, Cass City, Michigan
(989) 872-2195
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80, of Cass City, passed away peacefully Friday, October 16, 2020 in McLaren Bay Region, Bay City. He was born September 22, 1940 at home in Cumber, the sixth of fifteen children born to Enick and Helen (Jurkowski) Rutkoski. He married Carol Ann Walmsley September 7, 1963 in St. Pancratius Church, Cass City.
LaVern graduated in 1958 from Cass City High School. He worked as a Process Engineer at General Cable for thirty-eight years, earning patents and accolades for his work. One of his proudest accomplishments was designing and building his family’s home in Cass City, where he raised his three children with Carol and provided a nurturing environment for his three grandchildren. LaVern enjoyed woodworking, gardening, and his John Deere tractor. He shared these hobbies with his family, teaching them the importance of hard work, faith and compassion. A sports fan, LaVern cheered for the University of Michigan, the Detroit Pistons and the Detroit Tigers. LaVern and Carol traveled extensively, visiting Italy, Ireland and the United Kingdom, as well as friends and family throughout the United States.
LaVern was well known in the community as a generous and hard-working man with an enthusiasm for mentoring others and helping people in need. He was an active member and leader of the Knights of Columbus Thumb Council and organized many events at his church like the annual Potato Drive, Tootsie Roll drive and Fish Fry’s. LaVern started each day with a cup of coffee with his good friends at Nick’s discussing the news of the Thumb.
LaVern is survived by his wife, Carol Ann; children: Lisa Marie (Kirk) Winter of Cass City; Christine Ann (Randolph) Hasson of Merritt Island, FL; Matthew James (Erin Hitchins) Rutkoski of Chicago, IL; grandchildren: Brennan (Tiffany) Winter, Chase Winter, Emily Hasson; siblings: Herb Rutkoski of Cass City, Catherine Keahn of Utica, Ron (Caroline) Rutkoski of Decker, Veronica (Gary) Priestly of Caro, JoAnne (Tom) Osantowski of Cass City, Larry (Ann) Rutkoski of Essexville, Patti (Rennie Sandercott) Willcocks of Sterling Heights, Mike (Cecelia) Rutkoski of Columbus, OH; sister-in-law, Joanne Rutkoski of Ocala, FL; many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; siblings: Mildred (Ralph) Orzel, Frank Rutkoski, Lucille Rutkoski, Phyllis (Del) Lowrie, Jeanne Rutkoski, Rosemary Rutkoski; brother-in-law, Gerald Keahn; sister-in-law, Kay Rutkoski.
Funeral service held 11 a.m. Thursday, October 22, 2020 in Our Lady Consolata Parish, St. Pancratius Catholic Church, Cass City with Rev. Theo Nnabugo officiating. Interment in Elkland Township Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Our Lady Consolata Parish, St. Pancratius Catholic Church, Knights of Columbus, or the American Heart Association. Friends may share memories, prayers and photos with the family at www.kranzfuneralhome.com.
Visitation: 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday, October 21, 2020 in Kranz Funeral Home, Cass City
10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Thursday, October 22, 2020 in St. Pancratius Catholic Church, Cass City
Arrangements by
Kranz Funeral Home, Cass City, Michigan
(989) 872-2195
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