John F. Ruck

John F. Ruck, 78 o f Balsam Lake died suddenly at his home on Saturday, August 23rd 2014.  John was a life-long resident of Balsam Lake.  Born in 1936 to Grace(Rogers) and Ernest (Jack)  Ruck in their home in the  Village of Balsam Lake.   John graduated from Balsam Lake High School in 1954 where he played basketball and baseball .  He was the catcher for the Balsam Lake Swedes and Tri-town Badgers  town teams.  In recent years he could be found next to grandma behind home plate watching his grandsons during Unity Baseball games.

In 1959 he was drafted into the army and served as a medic stationed in New York City.  This was the one and only time he lived away from Balsam Lake.  After returning from the service, he  returned to  work for Ray Rogers at the Lagoon on Deer Lake.  This is where he met the love of his life, Audrey (Langkos) who was a waitress there.  In 1962 John and Audrey were married and they bought the Ruck homestead  the same year.  John spent 19 years behind the bar at the Lagoon, but at the same time he worked to support his true passion which was the farm.   John farmed on the Ruck homestead until his retirement in 2004.  After his retirement he continued to help when he could and be part of the farming operation.

An avid hunter and fisherman John had countless trips to Canada, South Dakota, North Dakota, Colorado hunting and fishing with friends and family.  He loved a fresh snow and would spend winter months  hunting fox and coyote in the area.   One of his very special places was the "buckshack" in Cable WI where he shared his hunting and love of the outdoors  with all of his family.

He was one of the original members of the Balsam Lake Rod & Gun Club and was chair of the annual smelt fry  for years.  He has shot trap  and has worked at the club's Annual Musky Tournament since its inception.  He served on the Balsam Lake Cemetery Board, Polk County Farm Bureau Board and served on the Balsam Lake Town board for 38 years.

John lived the life that he always wanted.  He farmed, hunted, spent time in the woods with his faithful dog Molly at his side and most important he was able to be part of the lives of his children and grandchildren that meant so much to him.  He was very proud and loved to  visit and share stories with all those around him.

John leaves to celebrate his memory: wife of 52 years, Audrey Ruck, Balsam Lake; children: Angie Nelson (Jim Amundson), Balsam Lake; Dan (Mindy) Ruck, Balsam Lake, Pam (Mike) Garvey, Balsam Lake; Ann Marie (Matt) Campeau, Balsam Lake ;   grandchildren: Ryan (Cailin) Flaherty, Brady Flaherty, Brett Nelson, Jacob Ruck, Dylan Ruck, Becca Garvey, Cole Garvey, Nate Garvey and Levi Campeau, sister, Dorothy Johnston, Balsam Lake and many other loving family and friends.  He was preceded in death by his parents, Ernest and Grace Marie Ruck,

Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday, August 26, 2014 at 11:00 A.M. at Our Lady of the Lakes Catholic Church in Balsam Lake at 11:00 A.M.  The Ruck family will greet visitors on Monday from 4-7 P.M. at the Kolstad Family Funeral Home in Centuria and again at the church on Tuesday one hour prior to the Mass.

John will be laid to rest at St. Patrick’s Catholic Cemetery rural Centuria following the Mass.  The family invites their guests to join them for a Celebration of John’s life at the Balsam Lake Rod & Gun Club for lunch and refreshments following cemetery committal service.

Pallbearers will be his nine grandchildren.  Honorary Pallbearers will be Elliott Paulsen, Bob Carey, Duane Hendrickson, Tom Hallberg and Pete Ruck.

The Kolstad Family Funeral Home of Centuria has been entrusted with arrangements.