Lorene Ruuska

Lorene Ruuska, 76, formerly of Angora, passed away at the Virginia Convalescent Center on Thursday, March 16, 2017.

She was born on July 23, 1940 in St. Cloud, to Lawrence and Irene (Michaelson) LaSota.

She graduated as valedictorian of her St. Cloud Technical High School class of 1958 and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and history from St. Cloud State University.  Lorene married Urpo M. Ruuska on May 29, 1963.  They resided in Angora for many years.  Urpo taught chemistry and physics at Mt. Iron High School. Lorene loved her pet dogs, and some of her favorite times were spent on walks in the woods, identifying trees, flowers, birds and other wonders of nature.  She worked for St. Louis County Social Services, as a medical assistance worker as well as a social worker from 1974 to 1989.  In 1988 Lorene earned a Master of Science in community services from the University of Wisconsin in Superior.  She continued to live in Angora after Urpo's passing in 1984.  She moved to Madison, Wisconsin, where she completed the doctorate program in Counseling Psychology, receiving her Ph.D. counseling psychology and later completed her one-year internship at the Veteran's Administration Hospital in Knoxville, Iowa.

Lorene later returned to her roots on the range, and in her later few years resided in assisted living.

In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her husband, Urpo in October of 1984, and brothers-in-law, Asko and Eero Ruuska.

Lorene is survived by 1 sister, Marcia (Michael) Gabriel of Vancouver, WA.,  2 sisters-in-aw, Dorothy Ruuska, IN, and Gerry Ruuska of Angora;  nieces and nephews - Kara (Justin Turnbull) Gabriel of Ellensburg, WA,  Holly (Barry Pederson) Gabriel of Grand Forks, ND; Robin (George) Pliml of Cook, Erick (Pam) Ruuska of Cook, Eric (Liz) Ruuska of IN and Laura ( Luke) Snow of AZ.

SERVICES: Graveside services will be held at a later date in the Idington Cemetery. Arrangements are with Mlaker Funeral Home.