Robert Z. Rucker

Robert Z. Rucker, age 85, passed away on January 23, 2013, in Miami, Florida. He is formerly of Decorah, and has been living in Senoia, Georgia, with his daughter’s family. Memorial Services will be held at 10:00 A.M. Saturday, June 15, 2013 at First United Methodist Church in Decorah with Rev. John Caldwell officiating. Inurnment will be in Phelps Cemetery in Decorah, with full military honors. Visitation will be from 3:00 P.M. to 6:00 P.M. on Friday, June 14, 2013, at Fjelstul Funeral Home in Decorah and on Saturday one hour before the service at the church. Robert was born on March 9, 1927, in Jacksonville, Florida, the son of Harvey Williams Rucker and Violet (Zeman) Rucker. He was born and died in Florida, but only lived there as an infant. He has been living in Senoia, Georgia, with his daughter’s family. He dropped out of high school to join the Navy in WWII. He learned to play guitar and chess while on patrol boats in the Pacific. He finished his education in Decorah. Robert was united in marriage to Doris Eileen Ustby on June 8, 1949 in Melrose, WI. This union was blessed with three children: Kenneth, Russell and Jill. He was a painter, and owned his own paint contracting business, before working as a foreman for Grohne Company. Robert then married Lois June Triggs on February 14, 2000 in Decorah, IA. He enjoyed genealogy, chess, and travel. He was a member of the Masonic Society and the Veterans of Foreign Wars. He completed his bucket list, visiting the four corners of the continental United States, with his trip to Key West, Florida, on this final trip of his in January. Robert is survived by his brother William Rucker and his wife Eveyln Rucker of Sparta, Wisconsin; his three children: Kenneth Rucker of Rochester, Minnesota and his ex-wife Yvette Rucker of Rochester, Minnesota, Russell Rucker and his wife Elena Rucker of Orfordville, Wisconsin, and L. Jill Rennie and her husband Jon Rennie of Senoia, Georgia; by ten grandchildren: Benjamin Rucker, Sarah Rucker, Andrew Rucker, Rebecca Rucker, Natasha Grandhi, Jaykumar Grandhi, Dylan Corrales, Zabrina Corrales, Alexander Rucker and Nicholas Rucker; and four great-grandchildren: Sakura Rucker, Mizuki Rucker, Reina Rucker, and Yunna Rucker. He preceded him in death by his parents; his two wives, Doris on July 17, 1999, and June on June 28, 2011; and his half brother, Frank Harvey Rucker.