Obituary: Ruth A. Kangas

As received from the Memorial Chapel & Plowe Funeral Homes:

Hancock
Ruth Ann Kangas (Ruthie), 93, a resident of Hancock passed away Monday, January 27, 2020 at Lighthouse Health and Rehabilitation Center (formerly Cypress Manor) in Hancock where she had been a patient for the past many years. Ruth died of symptoms stemming from a stroke she suffered approximately a week before her death. A memorial gathering will be held on Friday, January 31st at the Gloria Dei Lutheran Church of Hancock with a viewing from 3-4 p.m., followed immediately afterward by a service officiated by Rev. Brahm Semmler Smith of the Gloria Dei Church. Graveside services will be held 11:30 am Friday, May 29, 2020 at the Lakeside Cemetery in Hancock. Ruth was the 3rd of 14 children born to the late John Jacob and Elizabeth Ann “Bessie” (Waisanen) Nuranen of Conrad Street in Hancock.
Ruth will be remembered by her family, friends, and caretakers at Lighthouse Health and Rehabilitation Center for her catch phrase: Stay Positive! Through thick and thin she maintained a relentlessly positive attitude and encouraged the same from those she touched. This was most evident in the zest for life she shared with her husband Wes throughout their 50-year marriage. Ruth and Wes were fixtures on the Hancock political landscape, local baseball diamonds, and many family gatherings. While Wes served as a two-time mayor and long-time council member in Hancock, Ruth was there rallying support for their various causes. Similarly, as Wes led the Superior National Bank baseball team to its many championships, Ruth was the motivational force that made it possible. Most importantly, Ruth and Wes were symbols of family support and unity. In times of need they extended a hand. When time to celebrate they were first in line.
Following her husband’s death in 1998, Ruth remained committed to their vision of family and community support. She was a devoted sister to her many siblings and a loving aunt to generations of nieces and nephews. Though determined to live independently in the home she and Wes built together, Ruth ultimately needed the full-time care provided by Lighthouse Health and Rehabilitation Center. Here too Ruth brought her contagious joyful attitude. She encouraged her fellow residents to wheel their chairs through the hallways for exercise and loved hearing their stories and songs during their meals together. Ruth made it known to her family just how much she valued the care she received at Lighthouse. Her family, in turn, will be forever grateful for the care that made Ruth’s final years as fulfilling as possible.
Ruth is survived by her sisters Sarah (John) Wilcox and Gloria Jerabek, her brother Robert Nuranen, and by her many nieces and nephews covering multiple generations. In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by her sisters Rose (the late Albert) Laitinen, Joyce (the late Arvid) Nakkula, and Sandra “Sandy” Ruscio, and by her brothers John, Calvin, Paul, Fred, James, David and Michael. As a faithful Christian, Ruth has long embraced the desire to be reunited with her many loved ones.
To view Ruth’s obituary or to send condolences to the family please visit www.memorialchapel.net.
The Memorial Chapel & Plowe Funeral Homes of Hancock have been assisting the family with the arrangements.