Ruth E. Normand

Portage Township: Ruth E. Normand, 83, of Portage Township, passed away on Sunday, July 5, 2020 at the home of her daughter with her family by her side.

     She was born on August 6, 1936, in Nisula, a daughter of the late John and Selma (Leskela) Lindrus. After attending the Alston Elementary School, she later graduated from Baraga High School in 1953. She was employed at the Upper Peninsula Power Company in Houghton and left to raise her children.

     On June 24, 1961, she married Charles Normand at Saint Ignatius Loyola Catholic Church in Houghton. He preceded her in death in 2014.

     Family was most important to Ruth. The couple attended all school activities, sporting events, and award ceremonies for their grandchildren. She enjoyed living on the lake where she welcomed and entertained family and many friends. She also liked going to local restaurants with her friends. Ruth could always be found with special treats for her many grandpups. She was a member of Holy Family Catholic Church in South Range.

      Besides her parents and husband, Ruth was also preceded in death by sisters Vivian Grentz and Evie Turpeinen, brothers Leslie and Norman Lindrus, and a nephew Andy Pelto.

     She is survived by her children Susan (Frank) Destrampe and David (Sheri) Normand; grandchildren Leah (Jonathon) MacQueen, Joshua (Maria) Normand, Michael (Courtney) Destrampe, and Kayla (Kaine) Destrampe; great-grandchildren Ezra and Emmett; her brother Rodney (Carol) Lindrus of Hancock; sisters Martha (Merv) Pelto of Minnesota and Jeanne Pelto of Marquette; sisters-in-law Janet Dragovich of Petoskey, MI and Ruth Lindrus of Libertyville, IL; and by many nieces and nephews.

     A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, at 11:00 am July 14, 2020, at Holy Family Catholic Church in South Range with Reverend Father John Martignon to officiate. Interment will be at Forest Hill Cemetery in Houghton.

     Memorials in lieu of flowers may be directed to the Omega House, 2211 Maureen Lane, Houghton, MI 49931, UPHS Portage Home Care and Hospice, 821 West Water St., Hancock, MI 49930, or the charity of the donor's choice.

     Ruth's family would like to give special thanks to Donna Destrampe, Kaine Sturgeon, and UPHS Portage Home Care and Hospice for their kind and compassionate care.    

     The O'Neill-Dennis Funeral Home of Hancock is assisting with her funeral arrangements. To leave online condolences, please go to www.oneilldennisfh.com.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Ruth E. Normand, please visit our floral store.