Jay M. Ruesch

1939-2023

Jay M. Ruesch, 83, of Medford, died Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2023 at Marshfield Medical Center in Marshfield. A funeral mass will be held at 12 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 28, 2023 at Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Medford. Military honors provided by the Medford Area Military Honors Team will be held immediately following the service at the church. Interment will be at Holy Rosary Catholic Cemetery, Medford.

Visitation will be from 10 a.m. until the time of service at 12 p.m., Thursday at the church.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are appreciated and may go to Holy Rosary Catholic Church.

Jay was born Dec. 23, 1939 in Marshfield to Melvin and Geraldine (Pernsteiner) Ruesch. He grew up in Medford where he attended Holy Rosary School and graduated from Medford High School in 1957.

He joined the U.S. Army National Guard and was called to active duty during the Berlin Crisis. He served honorably from 1958 - 1962.

On June 26, 1960 he married Jean Olson, a girl he met while fishing near her home in Phillips. Jay’s father would ask him how his day fishing went…to which Jay would reply, “good.” His father was quick to point out that Jay’s fishing pole was still at home!

Jay and Jean resided in Medford where Jay drove bread trucks for 45 years until retiring with Country Hearth Bakery. He was a member of Holy Rosary Catholic Church.

Jay loved to do all things outdoors, including hunting, fishing and running his beagles. He and Jean raised beagles their entire marriage. They were members of the Northern Michigan Hair Association, Timberline Beagle Club and weekends were spent at the Beagle Trials, which were contests to test the dogs hunting skills.

He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Jean of Medford; children, Carla (Gerard) Feldbruegge of Tennessee, Pete (Diane) Ruesch of Medford, Tim (Kathy) Ruesch of Delavan; siblings, Lee (Bonnie) Ruesch of Arkansas, Mary Ruesch of Wausau, Lynn Ruesch of Florida, Fay Ruesch of Elkhorn; a special sister-in-law, Judy (Ray) Fleischman of Medford; ten grandchildren, Michael (Ashley) Feldbruegge, Adam (Emily) Feldbruegge, Sarah (Ryan) Darr, Steve (Tracy) Ruesch, Rick Ruesch, Trevor (Shelby Schmidt) Ruesch, Chris (Rachel) Ruesch, Adam (Joelle) Zuelsdorff, Andrew (fiancée Hannah Calkins) Ruesch, Jennifer Ruesch; great-grandchildren, Connor, Wyatt, Ezra, Adeline, Freya and Mira; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a son, Doug Ruesch; niece, Jayne Fleischman; and nephews, Mitch Steindl and Michael Olson.

Hemer-Pickerign Funeral & Cremation Services of Medford and Rib Lake is serving the family. Please visit www.hemerfuneralservice.com to share condolences online.

Paid Obituary 146401