"Mom What a long and giving life you have led. There's not a day that goes by that I don't remember all that you have done for all of us. I wish you forever hapiness. You will always be in my heart. Thank you Deana and Bruce for the years of love and care you have given Mom. With All My Love Dean ____________________ Alice was a remarkable lady. Thought I only knew her toward the end of her life, I can clearly see that my husband is who he is today because of the person she was thru all of her life. Her strength and character has made a tremendous influence on her children. It is for this that I thank her and honor her. I hope and strive to have the same influence on my own children. Alice, you have touched us all in so many ways. We will miss you. Love Rosie"
In loving memory of
Alice C. Ruonavaara
September 29, 1916 - March 30, 2002
Alice C. Ruonavaara, 85, of 1661 Engman Lake Road, Skandia died Saturday morning at the home of her daughters family after residing there for more than 8 years.
Mrs. Ruonavaara was born September 29, 1916 in McClure, South Dakota, a daughter of the late Christian P. & Mathilda (Rubitschun) Thomas. She has been a Marquette County resident since 1974. On May 15, 1936 she married Elmer F. Ruonavaara in the Sacred Heart Church in Calumet.
Mrs. Ruonavaara was a former member of St. Christopher Catholic Church in Marquette and had most recently been a member of St. Anthony Catholic Church in Gwinn.
Alice enjoyed working with ceramics, painting, reading and was an avid church goer.
She is survived by her children, Neal (Eva) Ruonavar of Sebring, FL, Nancy (Max) Hart of Arapahoe, WY, Deana (Bruce) Campeau of Skandia, Dean (Rosie) Ruonavar of Aurora, CO, Donita (Butch) LaJoie of Negaunee and Fred (Luanne) Ruonavar of Severn, Maryland; 20 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; 1 great-great-grandson; and 4 nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Elmer Ruonavaara on July 6, 1966; a son, Clyde Ruonavar; two brothers, Clyde & Chester Paul Thomas; and a sister, Christine Godmair.
Visitation will be held on Monday from 5 until 7 p.m. in the Gwinn Funeral Home and on Tuesday from 12 noon until 1 p.m. The rosary will be recited at 6:30 p.m. and Parish Prayers will be held at 7 p.m. in the funeral home. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday in St. Anthony Catholic Church at 1 p.m. with Rev. Ronald Timock officiating. Interment will take place in Maple Hill Cemetery in Lake Linden.
Pallbearers will be Renee Campeau, Jason LaJoie, Adam Heikkinen, Ed Paveglio, Russell Johnson and Jennifer Tasson.
In lieu of flowers, those wishing to make an expression of sympathy may wish to consider St. Anthony Catholic Church in Gwinn.
Tributes
"Mom, I stand next to people every day that make their make it known just how important they are. These are the Colonels, General and Congressmen who for one reason or another have come to be recognized as heroes and leaders of our great nation. I tell you now that in my eyes they fall way short of the person that you were! To me, your ability to persevere through your many trails and tribulations without wanting to quit was stellar! Your faith in God always gave me hope for a brighter future. Mom, in my eyes you have always been my greatest hero! You were the one person that no matter how tuff things got, would never quit. In my life, I could always find strength in the knowledge that you made it through worse and so could I. You once told me, "each and every day holds a new surprise and the promise of hope for a new start." With that knowledge I have never lost hope, and strive to better myself with each and every passing day. Mom, I love you! You've always been my hero and you will be missed! Love your son, Fred"
"To a lady who took me into her family and heart, I smile at how God is sitting there right now listening to all her jokes. I love you Alice. God Bless. Luanne"
"Hey mom! We miss you! We do know you are watching over us, don't be too harsh on us ok? Enjoy your new life, we'll be with you again soon enough! We love you!"
"Grandma, there are not enough words to say a thank you great enough to you for all you were to us and our Mom and Dad. We are all so blessed to have been given the honor to have enjoyed your neverending love. Your smile will always shine in our lives, and wonders of your life that you took the time to share with us, will be in our hearts forever. You were the best example we could ever have had on how to love others, and to share Gods love with everyone through the way we treat others. We know that your now and forever going to shine in our lives, and the love you gave us will never die. We miss you so much, but are so happy to know that you are were you have earned the right to be, in the loving care of Jesus, Mary, and all the Saints that you believed in for their intercession for help here on earth. Love always and forever, and until we see you again, rest in peace. Your loving Grandchildren, Amy Joy, Adam, Jason, Amanda and Bobby"
"To Bruce, Deana, and all the family ... my deepest sympathies. I have many fond memories of Alice during those "Gay" years and know that she was a very strong lady. I wish I'd gotten to know her these last few years."
"Bruce, Deana and families, you have my deepest sympathies.. I have been out of town for the last 10 days and was saddened to see that Alice had passed on. I enjoyed seeing Alice when she took the Marq-Tran bus from your home on Engman Lake. She was very whitty and I looked forward to seeing her and listening to her latest coments...ha..ha.. She was very lucky to have such a wonderful daughter and son-in-law to spend her final years with. Once again, my deepest condolences to the whole family...Laurie"
"Alice was an amazing blessing from God. I only knew her for a small part of her life. But taking care of her was some of the most wonderful times. Memories that will be treasured forever. From the irraplaceable stories she told , to the things she did to make me laugh! Just one glimpse of her wonderfully, mischievous smile and you can't help but laugh with her. She was truly one of a kind. I will greatly miss her. Love, Jen"
"One of the coolest memories I have of Alice is when she gave me a silver dollar for my birthday.Because Deana said that her silver dollars were one of her most prized possessions th she let no one touch.So it ment alot to me. Love,Andrew"
"Alice was a lady with a smile that captures your heart. She was a true joy in our life. We are thankful we were able to share in part of her life. So many things will forever remind us of her, exspecially a new pen! the joy on her face at the mention of Joe, & the stories she told are among our treasured memories. Love, the Tasson's"
"Thank you, Mom, for everything you did for me, especially for your prayers, and for Jesus and Mary. I have come to realize that it was through your prayers that I came back to the church. I'm eternally grateful to you. Nancy"
"Mom thank you for giving me life, your example in life has made me a much more loving person. My heart is heavy with saddness because you are gone but my life will go on because you have given me the strength to live in the knowledge that one day we shall be together again. Neal"
"Although I didn't know her, she was my grandmother by birth and I know that she was a great person because she raised a great son, Neal, who is my father."
"I've known Alice for 36 years and she will be missed by many, she was one fine lady. I think I will miss her laughter the most, she had a way to make you laugh. Love Marlene"