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As received from the Memorial Chapel & Plowe Funeral Homes:
Ryan W. Ruotsala, 70, a resident of the Hancock Canal, passed away Thursday, October 7, 2021, with his family by his side.
Ryan was born in Highland Park, Michigan on April 6, 1951, to Lloyd and Dorothy (Ollanketo) Ruotsala. He was raised in Royal Oak until age 15 when he moved with his family to Hancock where he graduated from Hancock High School with the class of 1969. Following graduation, Ryan enlisted in the US Army where he honorable served in Vietnam. Following his discharge, Ryan moved back to Hancock and began working for Lake Superior Fisheries. He then began installing carpet and flooring in several cities across the US. He began a career at Parker Flooring in Milwaukee where he worked for 17 years before becoming self-employed in the same trade until he retired due to illness.
While living in Detroit, Ryan met his future wife, Gloria Puska and would be united in marriage on July 14, 1979, in Hancock. He and Gloria lived in West Bend, WI where they raised their children. The couple returned to the Copper Country in 2017.
Ryan was an avid outdoorsman. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, and golfing. His passion was spending time with his grandchildren. Ryan was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in West Bend, WI and Grace Lutheran Church in South Range.
Preceding Ryan in death are his father, Lloyd, a daughter, Tina Verran, his brothers, Roger and Rodney, nephew, Ian Ruotsala and a brother-in-law, Bill Jarvi.
He is survived: his wife Gloria
His son: Gabriel Manninen
Grandsons: Shawn (Amanda), Trent (Emily) and Adam Verran.
His mother: Dorothy Haapapuro
His siblings: Reggie Jarvi
Randy (Kathy) Ruotsala
Roxann (Bernie) Holstine
His aunt: Dorothy Ruotsala
His uncle: Alan Ollanketo
Numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Funeral services for Ryan will be held at 11 am on October 9, 2021, at Grace Lutheran Church in South Range with Rev. Micah Cavaleri to officiate. Burial will be in the Lakeside Cemetery in Hancock.
Visitation will be held from 10 am until the time of services at the church.
To view this obituary or to send condolences online, please visit www.memorialchapel.net.
The Memorial Chapel Funeral Home of Hancock is assisting the family with the arrangements.
