James H. Ruppert

James H. Ruppert, 73, of La Crescent died Friday, December 26, 2014 surrounded by his loving family, at Gundersen Health System after an extended battle with myelodysplasia and pulmonary fibrosis.

Jim was born August 14, 1941 in Winona, Minn., to Adanelle (Deilke) and Raymond Ruppert. He attended Winona Senior High School, graduating in 1959. Shortly after, he joined the Army National Guard. He married Judith Sheekanoff on April 30, 1960 in Winona.

He worked in the office supply industry for 38 years employed by various companies in purchasing and sales and eventually owning his own company, Ruppert’s Office Interiors in La Crosse, Wis. and Winona.

Jim was a member of the Church of the Crucifixion, a life-long member and past Grand Knight of the Knights of Columbus in La Crescent, and a volunteer to drive the veterans from the Mosher Home to church on Sundays. Jim was on the Applefest Board for three years during the 1980’s. He was a 38 year member, and Past President of the La Crosse Kiwanis Club.

Jim loved to golf with family and friends and spent three days a week on the golf course and summer evenings at La Crosse Logger Baseball games. During his younger years he was an avid bowler and bowled each week with his family on the Ruppert’s Grocery bowling team in Winona. He also played a lot of softball in the summer, many times on teams with his boys. Family was important to him and he was always willing to lend a helping hand when anyone needed him. Jim loved playing cards right up until the last few days of his life and he would never turn down a good card game.

In addition to his wife Judy, he is survived by two brothers, Gary (Dorothy) and David (Dixie) Ruppert, all of Winona, brother-in-law Dan Nelson of Golden Valley, Minn., three sons, Jim (Angie), Paul, Jay (Jenny) Ruppert, all of La Crescent. Two daughters, Linda (Drew) Hamernik of Naples, Fla., Sandra (Steve) Nelson of Apple Valley, Minn. He is also survived by 15 grandchildren, Adam Ruppert of La Crosse, Matt Ruppert of St. Louis Park, Minn., Nathan Ruppert (fiancé Shelby Dahl) of Minneapolis, Minn., Joseph, Kendra, Carson, Jenna, Preston, and Kyra Ruppert of La Crescent. Taylyr (Jessica) Hamernik, Naples, Fla., Jaeden Hamernik (fiancé Mackenzie Hundley) Naples, Fla., Zachary, Marissa, Hillary, and Nicholas Nelson of Apple Valley, Minn. Three great grandchildren, Alexis, Aliya, and Landon Hamernik of Naples, Fla., and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, one brother Allyn Ruppert, one sister Helen Ruppert, brother-in-law Robert Sheekanoff, two sisters-in-law, Donna Sheekanoff and Jean Nelson, and a niece, Whitley Thompson.

The family would like to thank the staff at Gundersen Health System for their excellent care during his illness, including Beth Rock, Care Coordinator, John Farnen, M.D., and Carrie Lapham, APNP. Also, thank you to Rev. Gregory Havel for his visits and words of comfort to the family, and to Peter Peterslie for his special Christmas visit.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, January 2, 2015 at Church of The Crucifixion, 423 S. 2nd Street in La Crescent. Rev. Gregory Havel will officiate. Family and friends may call from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Thursday at Schumacher-Kish Funeral and Cremation Services, 111 S. Oak Street, La Crescent and on Friday at the church from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service. Entombment will take place in the Oak Grove Cemetery Garden Mausoleum, La Crosse.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the Church of the Crucifixion or to Gundersen Health System Hematology Department.