Mass of Christian Burial for Francis A. Ruskamp age 85 of rural Scribner, NE will be held on Wednesday, September 23, 2015 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Leo’s Catholic Church in Snyder, NE. Interment will be in St. Leo’s Cemetery with Military Honors by Dodge American Legion Post #122 and VFW Post #8597. Visitation will be held on Tuesday with the family present from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the church. There will be a Vigil Service and Knights of Columbus Rosary at 7:00 p.m. Minnick Funeral Chapel in Dodge, NE is in charge of the arrangements.
Francis passed away on Sunday, September 20, 2015 at the Fremont Health Medical Center.
Francis Anton Ruskamp was born on January 19, 1930 in rural Dodge, NE Colfax County to Joseph and Anna (GrossRhode) Ruskamp. He attended Sacred Heart School-Olean through the 8th grade, then Francis worked with his father on his farm prior to serving his country. Francis served in the U.S. Marine Corps, from 1951 to 1953. Upon being honorably discharged he returned to Nebraska to farm.
On January 19, 1954, he was united in marriage to Bernardine Reznicek at St. Leo’s Catholic Church in Snyder, NE. The couple farmed 3 ½ miles south of Snyder.
Francis was an actively involved member of St. Leo’s Catholic Church. He was a 4th Degree member of the Knights of Columbus Council #3736 North Bend, NE, member of the Dodge American Legion Post #122, the Dodge VFW Post #8597 and the Catholic Order of Foresters. Francis was active in the National Farmers Organization and belonged to the Dodge Co. Cattlemen Association. He and Bernardine were Associates of the School Sisters of St. Francis and very involved in Cursillo.
Francis enjoyed woodworking, gardening, assembling puzzles, golfing, reading, traveling, watching baseball and bowling.
Survivors include-
Wife of 61 years: Bernardine Ruskamp of Scribner, NE
Children and their families:
Barbara and Kent Lethcoe of Sioux Falls, SD and sons, Tim, David and Robert
Stephen and Joan Ruskamp of Dodge, NE and family: Ginger and Casey Eikmeier and daughters, Ella and Harper; Scott and fiancé, Simone; Emily and Angel Cortina and son Isaiah; Jeffrey and Kimberly
Teri and Dennis Baker of Rock Springs, WY and daughter, Lauren Mitchell
Louise Ruskamp and Don White of Las Vegas, NV and sons:
Nicholas and Breanna White and daughter Teagan; Andrew
Gerald and Judy Ruskamp of Auburn, NE and daughters, Laura and Christine
Marguerite and George Stark of Linden, KS and daughter,
Chloe and Hector Rodriguez and son Leon
Rosie and John Kube of Greenfield, IN and children, Megan, Abby, Laura, Jill and Mark
Joe and Tami Ruskamp of North Bend, NE and children, Eddie and Elizabeth
Julianne and Kelly Heftie of Lincoln, NE and children, Tabitha, Simon, Maria and Elijah
Brother-Ray and Margaret Ruskamp of Lincoln, NE
Francis was preceded in death by his parents, son, Edward in 1981, and siblings: Lawrence, Bill, Adolph, Roman, Sr. Catherine, Sr. Liz, Sr. Veronica, Sr. Corinne, Fr. Florian, Jermaine, and Tony.
In lieu of flowers, donations will be made to charities Francis supported.
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