Joan M. Ruegg

Joan M. Ruegg, 79 of St.Ignace went home to be with the Lord at 4:20 am Thursday morning, April 7 surrounded by her loving family. She was born in Sault Ste. Marie on June 12,1931 to Ray J. and Alice (Nelson) McLachlan. Joan graduated from LaSalle High School in St.Ignace in 1949 and from Florida Southern Colllege in Lakeland with a degree in Elementary Education, and taught for a year in Florida and also in St.Ignace. She was very active in Christian service to others at the United Methodist Church and UMW, teaching Sunday School and release time. She was also active in Gideons Aux. in the Eastern UP. She also worked with special ed. children at Gros Cap; and was a Campfire Girls Leader. She was a caregiver for her parents and several others in the community, and was always a caring community leader. She was an accomplished seamstress, and made dresses for her girls and others. She was a couragious patient the past 16 months in the Hospice House in Cheboygan, always with a smile and accepted her illness with great faith. She has been ill for the better part of 15 years., but kept a great sense of humor. She will be deeply missed by her family and the church community. Joan never had a bad word for anyone, always loving and caring.Her husband made the trip to Cheboygan every afternoon for 16 months. to be at her side. On May 1,1952 she married John B. Ruegg in Oldsmar, Florida, and he survives. also a son, Phil and his wife Mary Kaye Ruegg, St.Ignace; 2 daughters, Dr. Pam and Keith Morgen, Madison,WI; Alison and Samuel DeCamp, Harbor Springs; seven grandchildren , Katherine, Elizabeth, Jonathan,Samuel,Lucas, Anna and Jimmie.She was preceeded in death by her parents, and a brother, Stanley Slater. Memorial service will be held on Thursday, April 14 at 11 am at the St.Ignace United Methodist Church with Rev. Erik Alsgaard officiating. Visitation will be from 10 to service time at the church. Memorials may be directed to the Gideons, the United Methodist Church or the St.Ignace Hope Chest with envelopes available from Dodson Funeral Home who assisted the family with arrangements. Burial will be in Lakeside Cemetery in the spring.

Tributes

Joan M. Ruegg

April 7, 2011