Clarence E. Ryskey, 89, a lifelong resident of Marenisco, passed away Monday, April 18, 2011, in Ironwood.
He was born on Feb. 12, 1922, in Marathon, Wis., son of the late Reinhold and Laura (Rominske) Ryskey.
Clarence proudly served in the U.S. Army during World War II.
On June 16, 1950, he was united in marriage with Sylvia A. Polley in Ironwood. She preceded him in death on Aug. 12, 2003.
Clarence was a lifetime member of the Bessemer Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3673, was a member of the Marenisco Sports Club, served on the Marenisco School Board for 25 years and was a fireman for the Marenisco Volunteer Fire Department.
He was a self-employed logger and worked for Bonifas Lumber Company, Kimberly-Clark, Champion International and Keweenaw Land.
Clarence is survived by two sons, Gary and Greg (Jessie), both of Marenisco; two daughters, Gloria (Mike) Keast, Orleans, and Gwen (Mark) Piotrowski, Marenisco; his son-in-law, Richard Aapala, Charlotte; 10 grandchildren, Aaron (Katelyn), Jason (Taylor), Allison (Patrick), Michael (Sarah), Mark, Nolan (Melani), Stephanie (Joe), Abigail, Lauren and Owen; seven great-grandchildren, Clark, Sophia, Jillian, Nolan, Karena, Benjamin and Brittanie; four sisters, Lorraine Anderson, Marenisco, Marcella Miskovich, Wakefield, Gladys Roland, Schofield, Wis., and Margaret Swindle, Poplar Bluff, Mo.; two sisters-in-law, Earla Ryskey, Marenisco, and Dorothy Ryskey, Fayetteville, Ark.; numerous nieces and nephews; and special friends, Jean Maki, Bessemer, and Ben and Elaine Thompson, Eaton Rapids.
Besides his parents and wife, Clarence was preceded in death by a daughter, Gail Aapala; two brothers, Rudolph and Arnold; and a sister, Alice Pflanzer.
The family will greet relatives and friends on Thursday, April 21, from 10 to 11 a.m., at Lakeside Memorial Chapel, where funeral services will follow at 11 a.m. The Rev. David Stevens, pastor of Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Bessemer, will officiate.
Following the service, military rites will be accorded by the Bessemer American Legion Post 27 and the Bessemer VFW Post 3673 Honor Guard.
A reception will be held at the Marenisco Town Hall following the military service.
Burial will take place in the spring at Marenisco Cemetery.
Lakeside Memorial Chapel Inc., Wakefield, is assisting the family with the arrangements.