Ruth Marie Gorsline

Ruth Marie (Keranen) Gorsline, 87 years old, passed away on Saturday, November 11, 2017 at Condell Hospital in Libertyville, Illinois. She is preceded in death (by only 2-1/2 months) by her sweet husband and best friend of almost 70 years, John Charles Gorsline, Sr. She was born on June 22, 1930 in Calumet, Michigan to Peter Keranen and Velma (Jestila) Sorby. She was the granddaughter of Finnish immigrants. Ruth is also preceded in death by her sister, Janet (Keranen) Powell.

Ruth and John went on their first date on October 10, 1947. Before the couple were married on July 10, 1954, Ruth graduated from Northern Illinois University to become a school teacher. Soon after they married, they built their first house in Libertyville before moving to their farm in Gurnee to raise their six children together. Ruth was able to enjoy substitute teaching while raising her kids as well.

Her family vacationed in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan at “The Cottage” where their children and their families still vacation today. In retirement, John and Ruth, moved to Burlington, Wisconsin where they adopted their little dog, Lulu, to relax and cheer on the Chicago Cubs and Green Bay Packers.

Ruth is survived by her children: Ruby (Roger) Young, Peter (Tammy) Gorsline, John C Gorsline Jr., Paul Gorsline, Mark (Jane) Gorsline, Jim (Karen) Gorsline, Jeffrey Campbell; nine grandchildren: Sharon (Rob) Wichman, Kyle (Jennifer) Young, Valerie Gorsline, Ryan (Joelle) Gorsline, Jason (Sara) Gorsline, Luke (Andrea) Gorsline, Sarah Gorsline, James Gorsline, Bradley Gorsline; eight great-grandchildren: Hanna Wichman, Justin Wichman, Keith Gorsline, Mila Gorsline, Olivia Gorsline, Ryder Gorsline, Taylor Gorsline, Samantha Gorsline; and many nieces and nephews.

Visitation will begin at 6:00pm, followed by a service at 7:00pm with Pastor Meiselwitz of St. Paul Lutheran Church, on Friday, November 17, 2017 at Marsh Funeral Home (305 N. Cemetery Rd) in Gurnee, IL.

Ruth has chosen to donate her body to the Anatomy Gifts Registry.