Lenore A (Heier) Ruesch

The Matriarch of our family, Lenore Agnes Ruesch (Heier) 99, passed away on September 6, 2022. She was preceded in death by her husband LeRoy (Butch), recently by her daughter-in-law, Carmen (Tim), parents John and Catherine Heier, brothers Dick, Tony, Fritz, Jack, Glenn, and Ray, and sisters Kate Zyskowski, Celine Grunwald, and Mary Hoffman.

She is survived by her children, Sharon (Pat Burns), Connie (Don Kubac), Mike (Genece), Pat (Deb), Penny (Danny Engh), Debby (Bill LaBerge), John (Laura), Valerie (Tim Leath), Kelvin (Shirley), Tim, Amy (Doug Christophersen), Beverley (Bill Kraemer), Jason, Gabe (Stephanie), and Lisa (Chris Laursen), thirty-four grandchildren, sixty-nine great grandchildren, and five great great grandchildren.

Our mother was born April 19, 1923 and raised in Medford where she attended the local public schools. She was a member of the Medford High Marching Band and played clarinet. Mom also liked to sew, set puzzles, play cards, and enjoyed listening to the radio, going to movies and dances.

On April 25, 1942, our parents were married in Milwaukee where Mom was attending cosmetology school. She returned to Medford when Dad was drafted in the Army during WWII.

After the war they settled in the city of Medford and raised their family. Besides being a devoted wife and loving and caring mother, mom was a devout practicing Catholic. We were dressed in our Sunday attire and ready to go to church with our Sunday offering envelope in our pocket. She had no qualms about reminding us about Holy Days of Obligation and recommending going to confession more times than not. In the month of May, mom and the children at home would sit around the kitchen table and pray the rosary. Many of us have memories of seeing her in her rocker with rosary in hand.

Lenore was more than a “housewife”. Early in her marriage she was a licensed beautician working in Florence’s Salon. She also was an accomplished seamstress, wrote an occasional Vox Pop to the Medford Star News, and won a contest by submitting the chosen name for the new credit union in Medford, People’s Choice, and a member of the Ladies Aux. VFW 5729.

She loved to whistle and was really good, especially while she baked.  Many of us remembered getting off the school bus and immediately taking in the aroma of fresh bread! We knew we’d be getting a treat before supper.

A poem from our mom was always a gift stemming from an event that one would share with her. She would pen the words in such detail as it read like sweet music.

Our Mother was so loved by her family, relatives, and friends. She spent many hours at the nursing home, sitting, talking, and praying with people in need of human touch. In these last few years family assisted mom in her home until it was decided she needed more attention and she agreed to move to the Madison/Verona area where she shared time between Sharon and Debby’s homes. Over time it was decided Debby’s home would be our mother’s home. She was surrounded by family and passed peacefully.

A Mass for our mother will take place at 11:00 AM on Saturday, Oct. 29, 2022 at Holy Rosary Catholic Church. Burial will follow at Holy Rosary Catholic Cemetery. Visitation will be at Holy Rosary Catholic Church from 10:00 AM until the time of Mass at 11:00 AM.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Our Lady of Holy Rosary Parish and School.

Hemer-Pickerign Funeral & Cremation Services of Medford and Rib Lake is serving the family. Online condolences can be left at www.hemerfuneralservice.com.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Lenore A (Heier) Ruesch, please visit our floral store.