Joseph Ernst Rurode

Joseph Ernst Rurode, born October 7, 1946, went into the arms of the Lord on December 26, 2024. He was the loyal son of the late Joseph R. and Julia (Kroeff) Rurode, survived by his wife, Regina (Brazys) Rurode. Joe and his beloved wife were married for 57 years. Joe is also survived by his two children; Suzanne Rurode of Wilmette, Illinois and Joseph J. (Laura) Rurode of Chesterton, Indiana. “Pop” as his grandchildren called him, was adored and loved beyond words by his five grandchildren: Jake, Hannah, Ben, Joey and Ione. Joe made an instant impression and always found a way to become a friend or ally to virtually every person he met. He connected by presenting his authentic self and forming bonds by always having real conversations, even with those who least expected it. He grew up in Merrillville, Indiana and while attending both Andrean High School where he met his dear Regina and later Western Michigan University, he formed some of the most long-lasting friendships of his lifetime. He and Regina settled in Northwest Indiana where they both were raised, and they in turn raised their children there. In many cases, the friendships that Joe and Regina have with their high school friends have been the foundation for friendships to form for Suzie and Joseph J. with the children of Joe and Regina’s friends…making for generations of friendships and tales to be told of the parents and the children. Joe was President of his own company Calumet Securities Corporation, a mortgage and insurance mainstay of Northwest Indiana; after retiring he enjoyed his freedom to play golf which was another one of his loves. He was the Club Champion at the formerly called Gary Country Club where he was known by all. In his retirement, he volunteered at Meals on Wheels. He had his own route, and he made friendships with all of the recipients he met on a regular basis. He began to take on more routes, ultimately re-engineering much of the Porter County Meals on Wheels route system to be more efficient, saving time and gas. Only Joe would do this because he knew every side street and the quickest path to get to anywhere in Northwest Indiana. He also showed his monumental generosity to several other organizations and to his very broad extended family. He gave of his time and treasures, but he gave mostly of his heart. Most of all, Joe was a magnet that drew so many people to his warmth and kindness. Everywhere he would go, he made friends. Grocery stores, car dealerships, the gym, the bank and post office. He also made lasting friendships with the postal carrier and the repair men that would come to his home. He was so kind to all of Suzie and Joe’s friends that they developed their own friendships with Joe Sr. over the years. To know Joe was to love him and to laugh both with him, and even at him (which he generously invited), but he took it all with grace and laughed too. His grandchildren have more stories about their Pop than is fathomable, and they all are so forever lucky to have had Pop be their grandfather. From dancing down Main Street at Disney World to dressing up as Darth Vader and dueling an entire gymnasium of five-year olds and playing the main target of squirt gun challenges with his grandsons’ friends, to wearing silly costumes and going trick-or-treating in Wilmette and in Chesterton, he was always in to make his grandchildren, and his big children, laugh. To celebrate Joe, we’ve created a link to share your favorite stories about him. Please click the link below which will provide a simple form for you to share any memories or stories you have. They will be submitted and compiled into a book for Regina and family. Thank you dearly for contributing. Please click the attached link: https://form.jotform.com/hannahmastrofski/JoeRurodeStories A memorial visitation will be held on Thursday, January 2, 2025, from 9 a.m. until time of Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. directly at St. Patrick Church, 638 N. Calumet Road, Chesterton, IN 46304. Rev. Patrick Kalich officiating. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Arthur B. & Ethel V. Horton Visiting Nurse Association (VNA) Hospice Foundation of Northwest Indiana (NWI), 2404 Valparaiso Street, Valparaiso, IN 46383. A link to their website is provided: https://www.vnanwi.org/give.php. Burns Funeral Home & Crematory, Crown Point, IN, entrusted with arrangements. www.burnsfuneral.com

Joseph Ernst Rurode

October 7, 1946 - December 26, 2024