Kenneth Wayne Rusk, 99, of Whitehall, Wis., formerly of Grand Marais, died on Sunday, June 18, 2017 in the Gundersen Tri-County Care Center in Whitehall.
Ken was born on Oct. 11, 1917 in Holcombe, Wis. to Chase and Vina (McClurg) Rusk. Ken served in the United States Army Air Corps during World War II.
Kenneth married Nathalie Marie Storms on Jan. 22, 1939 in Nashua, Iowa. Nathalie preceded Ken in death on Dec. 22, 2014. Ken was employed with Gisholt Machine Company in Madison and then owned and operated Rusk Gun Shop. After Ken and Nathalie retired, they moved to Grand Marais on Seagull Lake where Ken was employed with the United States Forest Service.
Ken enjoyed hiking, camping, canoeing, woodworking, carpentry, building canoes and kayaks and spending time with his family and friends.
Kenneth is survived by two daughters, Sharon (Ben) Ringstad of Whitehall and Barbara Leo of Green Bay; five grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren, six great-great-grandchildren and a sister, Helen (Cloyd) Christman of Spokane, Wash.
In addition to his parents and wife, Ken was preceded in death by a son-in-law, Tom Leo, and five brothers, Francis, Clarence, Blain, Clayton, and Glenn Rusk.
Memorial services will be held on Saturday, Aug. 26, 2017 at 1 p.m. in the Gunflint Trail Rescue and Fire Department Hall 3 in Grand Marais.
Memorials may be designated to the Gunflint Trail Rescue and Fire Department Hall 3 or the Chik-Wauk Museum, both in Grand Marais.
Kenneth’s family would like to thank the staff at Sunrise Manor, the Gundersen Tri-County Care Center, St. Croix Hospice and family and friends for their thoughts and prayers.
The Jack Funeral Home in Whitehall is assisting the family with arrangements.
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