Evelyn Alice Ruschke

Obituary

Evelyn “Evie” Alice (Monroe) Ruschke was born on June 10, 1930, in Bergen Township, McLeod County, Minnesota.  She was the daughter of Frank Jr. and Christina (Jannusch) Monroe.  Evelyn was baptized as an infant and confirmed in her faith as a youth at St. Peter Lutheran Church in Lester Prairie, Minnesota.  She received her education at District 35 and St. Peter Parochial Schools, in Lester Prairie, Minnesota. 

Evelyn worked as a waitress at Ted and Dora’s of Plato.  It was at Ted and Dora’s where Wally met Evelyn and asked her to go to the fireman’s dance with him.  On May 19, 1951, Evelyn was united in marriage to Waldemar Ruschke at St. Peter Lutheran Church of Lester Prairie, Minnesota.  Evelyn and Wally made their home together on the Monroe family farm east of Glencoe and then in 1961, moved into Glencoe.  Their marriage was blessed with two daughters, Susan and Ranaye.  Evelyn and Wally shared over 62 years of marriage before his death on November 28, 2013.  Evelyn made her home at Orchard Estates for two years before moving to GlenFields Living with Care in 2016.

Evelyn also worked as a waitress at the North Star Café.  She worked at Telex Communications for over 32 years, retiring in 1998.  Evelyn was a member of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Glencoe, Minnesota, where she belonged to the Women’s Guild, Altar Guild and taught Sunday School. 

Many family gatherings were held at the Monroe family cabin on Blackwater Lake near Pine River.  Evelyn and Wally enjoyed camping and fishing with their grandchildren, Tim and Kim.  Many summers were later enjoyed at Sherwood Forest near Lake Mille Lacs.  Evelyn traveled throughout the United States and into Canada with Wally on bus trips.  She also enjoyed bus trips with friend, Dorothy Scharpe.  One year for Christmas, Evelyn treated Sue and Ranaye to a bus trip with her to Kansas City and Branson, MO!

Evelyn took pleasure in flower and vegetable gardening, canning, playing cards and playing bingo.  Evelyn inherited iris plants and raspberry plants from her mother and grandmother.  She canned many jars of raspberry jam that were enjoyed all year long.  Her signature dish for family gatherings was ham balls with pineapple sauce.

Mom, Grandma, Great Grandma, Evelyn – we will all miss you!  Blessed be her memory.

Evelyn is survived by her:
Daughter Susan Kaneski and son-in-law, Dennis Kaneski;
Son-In-Law, Larry Suttles;
Grandchildren, Tim Schroeder and his fiancée, Stacey Larson,
Kimberly Dierkhising and her husband, Troy Dierkhising;
Great Grandchildren, Farrah and Eden Dierkhising, Colton Larson and his fiancée, Paige White, Carley & Calvin Larson, Abbigail Schroeder;
Brother, Eugene Monroe and his wife, Barbara;
Brothers-In-Law and Sisters-In-Law, Janice Monroe,
Palmer and Lois Ruschke,
Amarylis (Amy) Nieland,
Ramona and Gerald Pauly,
Cousins, nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.

Evelyn is preceded in death by her Parents, Frank Jr. and Christina Monroe; Husband, Waldemar Ruschke; Daughter, Ranaye Suttles; Sister, Dolores Arnold; Brother, DeRoyce Monroe; Brothers-In-Law & Sisters-In-Law, Andrew Arnold, Ellen and Curtis Henning, Lavern Nieland, Donald Soeffker, Joan and Chet Weckop, Karen and Clarence Herd.

Memorials preferred to Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Glencoe, Minnesota.

The family of Evelyn Ruschke sincerely thanks everyone, relatives, friends, and the caregivers at GlenFields for your many kindnesses and love that you have shown to Evelyn throughout the years.