Gary F. Ruda

DULUTH, Minn. - Gary F. Ruda, 66, of Saxon, Wis., died Thursday, Aug. 28, 2014, at Essentia St. Mary's Medical Center in Duluth.

He was born July 20, 1948, in Hammond, Ind., the son of Frank and Virginia (Holoffe) Ruda.

Gary graduated from Lincolnway High School in New Lenox, Ill., in 1966.

He served in the U.S. Army from June 27, 1968, to April 7, 1970, obtaining the rank of specialist 4th class and was a Vietnam veteran.

Gary was a heavy equipment operator and was employed by the Town of Saxon. Gary enjoyed woodworking, fishing on his boat, "Ramrod", on Lake Superior and was past president of the Saxon Harbor Boating Club.

On May 23, 1992, he married the former Diane K. Youngs in Hurley.

Survivors include his wife, Diane, Saxon; son, Gary Ruda Jr., Lake Village, Ind .; daughters, Tami Foltys, Homer Glenn, Ill., and Nichole (Jamie Ofstad) Carter, Saxon; brother, Michael Ruda, Enville, Tenn .; sister, Pat (Ken) Ward, Donavon, Ill .; mother, Virigina, Donavon; brothers-in-law, Jim (Kim) Youngs, Hurley, Wis., and Larry "Murph" (Ann) Youngs, Hurley; mother-in-law, Lily Youngs, Hurley; seven grandchildren and two special granddaughters, Breanna and Hope Adamavich; several nieces, nephews, cousins; and his golden retriever, Daisy.

He was preceded in death by his father, Frank in 1993.

Cremation has taken place at Range Crematory in Hurley. No services are planed. Gary will be missed by family and friends.

Arrangements are in care of Range Funeral Service & Crematory, Ketola-Burla Funeral Home in Ironwood.