Ivan Frank Ruzic

IVAN F. RUZIC, age 91, of Stratford, WI, passed away in Minocqua, WI on Sunday, August 10, 2025. A private burial service will be held at the Holy Family Cemetery in Willard, WI. A Celebration of Life will be held at the Willard Community Center in Willard, WI on Saturday, November 1, 2025 from 11 am to 3 pm.
Ivan Frank Ruzic was born on October 30, 1933 in Willard, WI to Ivan Z. and Angeline F. (Artac) Ruzic. He was raised on the family farm in Willard/Greenwood, WI, and graduated from Greenwood High School in 1951. After high school, Ivan moved to northern Idaho and worked in a mine. He was united in marriage to Geraldine M. Schultz on May 14, 1955 in Sacramento, California. They divorced in 1995 and he later married Darlene Eisele. He moved to Racine, WI in 1956 where he worked for J.I. Case Company. In 1960, he moved back to Willard to take over the operation of the family farm until retiring from farming in 1981. Ivan then moved to Rock Dam and worked for Ruzic Construction Company for many years, operating backhoe and crane to build bridges throughout WI. After retiring in 1997, he moved to Stratford, WI, where he resided until his death.
Ivan was an active member and president of Greenwood Milk Products, a member of Holy Family Church, where he sang bass in the choir, and the GWR snowmobile club where he served as president. He admired a smooth trail.
He loved throwing horseshoes and traveled with his camper to many states to throw shoes. His favorite area was Pocatello, ID, where he, yep, threw more shoes and met many new friends. He also loved baseball and would talk about listening to the radio with his dad for a Cubbies game. Other interests included reading, playing cards, purple martin birds, snowmobiling, and hunting in various states with his sons, grandsons, brother, and friends.
Ivan will be dearly missed by his children: Mike Ruzic of Lake Tomahawk, WI, Ivan (Brenda) Ruzic of Willard, WI, Colleen (David) Gay of Fall Creek, WI, Matt (Diane) Ruzic of Rhinelander, WI; ten grandchildren: Phillip (Eliza) Ruzic, Austin Ruzic, Ashley Ruzic, Loren Ruzic, Shawn (Beth) Ruzic, Janine (Joe) Bethea, Riley (Kim Nelson) Ashbeck, Randy Ashbeck, Coy (Kate) Ruzic, Courtney (Nate Grambsch) Ruzic; several great-grandchildren; one brother: Gary (JoAnn) Ruzic of Neillsville, WI; many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; two wives; one sister, Donna (Ruzic) Martens; three brothers-in-law; and one great-granddaughter, Kaylee Ashbeck.