Clayton W. "Rusty" Schrupp

Clayton "Rusty" W. Schrupp

1929-2025

Clayton Wayne Schrupp, fondly known as Rusty, passed away Wednesday May 7, 2025, at age 96.

Rusty was born March 19, 1929, in Little Falls, MN. When Rusty was a teenager, his family relocated to the Grand Rapids area. Rusty graduated from Grand Rapids High School in 1947. He left Grand Rapids for a brief time to travel West but said he could never forget the 'little french girl' he met from Bovey, and so he returned home in the hopes she was still unmarried. He married that 'girl', the love of his life Alyce Marie Ranger, in 1949. Together they raised four children in the home they owned for 72 years. They were married for nearly 74 years when Alyce passed away in 2023.

Rusty loved telling stories of his childhood on the farm, his adventures before marriage, his travels with Alyce, camping, fishing, seeing live country music like George Jones, and getaways to Reno and Vegas. He and Alyce spent many summers at Pincherry Grove Resort in Cohasset, MN, where there are more memories than there is room to recount. Rusty loved to travel to Canada to fish and hunt with his sons and friends and was known to many as the best walleye fisherman you ever met. He referred to his secret fishing spot as "Lard Lake" and knew the lake and every sunken island by heart.

Rusty was always a hard worker, often holding multiple jobs to support his family and his hobbies. He worked for the Rialto theater in his younger years, Ford Motor Company, retired from Blandin Paper Company, and delivered the Minneapolis Star and Tribune for many years. He loved cars, was known for only driving a Ford, and was an excellent stock car racer. He loved to hand out silver dollars as his signature tip to many he met. He was gregarious and full of life, making jokes up to the end. We will never forget his laugh!

Rusty is preceded in death by his wife Alyce, two sons Alan and Michael Schrupp, his parents, one brother, three sisters, sisters and brothers-in-law, many of whom became dear friends. He is survived by two sisters, Barbara (Jack) Spears and Alyce Harms, son Brian (Sandra) Schrupp and daughter Carolyn Edwards, grandchildren Alason (Josh) McFarland, Brad (Missy) Edwards, Grant Edwards, Casie Schrupp, Erinn Schrupp, Abby (Shawn) Pederson and Carrie (David) Kirkland, and great grandchildren Dexter, Mason, Veda, Gavin, Phoenix, Brian, Skyla and Walter, as well as countless nieces, nephews and friends who loved and adored him.

A special thank you to Brian and Sandra, who faithfully visited and cared for Rusty especially in the times after Alyce's death, and to his niece Traci and nephew Terry for your help. There are many more who helped and supported him as well, too many to name. His room was full of visitors every day at the hospital.

The family also thanks the many nurses and Dr. Schotl at Grand Itasca Hospital who provided compassionate care for Rusty. You saw our love for him, and you helped us support his final wishes. Thank you to Mikalah Little of St. Croix Hospice for her care in the final hours. We are grateful on the deepest level.

We will miss Rusty more than we can say. He lived a full life and expressed this often. We will cherish our memories.

Visitation will be held on Friday, May 16, 2025, at Libbey Funeral Home at 11:00am, followed by the 12:00pm memorial service. A reception will follow at the Loyal Order of Moose at 1:00pm. Burial will be at Itasca-Calvary Cemetery, Grand Rapids, MN at a later date.

Arrangements are with Libbey Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Grand Rapids, MN. To sign the online guestbook or send condolences visit www.libbeyfuneralhome.com.