Clarence J. "Rusty" Lipske, 77, of 10862 N. Moore Ave., Upson, died early Thursday morning, May 28, 2009 in Ashland. He was born March 21, 1932 in Upson, son of the late George and Helen (Nemchek) Lipske. Rusty married the former Lois Schlichting on August 22, 1954 in Mellen. Rusty loved to tinker in his garage, working on his John Deere tractor and riding on his 4-wheeler through Upson every morning and evening to check up on things. As a family man, he enjoyed spending quality time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren and his special companion BB. He belonged to the local union 139 Operating Engineers, winning many awards for building bridges and was a lifetime member of Iron County VFW Post 1580, having served in the U.S. Army in Korea. Surviving are his wife Lois;sons Dennis (fiancee Darcy Zandi), Ironwood; George (Donna), Ironwood Township; Ronald (Gidget Ventrucci) and Mark (Donna) both of Carey, Wis.; grandchildren Garret (Elizabeth) Lipske, Chad (Jaimee) Lipske, Theresa (Chris) Jarvis, Eli Lipske, Tammy Lipske (James Weidenbach), Nikki, Patrick and Markus Lipske; great-grandchildren; Clarence, Sammy and Leanna Lipske, Mackenzie and Evan Jarvis, Claire Nikula and Lily Weidenbach ; brother John (Donna), Milwaukee; and a sister Cathy Schaffer, Washburn. Besides his parents, Rusty was preceded in death by his brothers Martin, Joe, Leo, Bill, Jack and Eddie; sisters Eleanor Peltonen and Lucy Rockser, daughter-in-law, Sherri Lipske and a grandson Luke Lipske. Mass of Christian burial will be Tuesday, June 2, at 11a.m. at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Hurley, with the Rev. Michael Hayden, celebrant. Burial will be in the Calvary Cemetery, Upson, where full military rites will be accorded by the combined Hurley American Legion Post 58 and Iron County VFW Post 1580 Honor Guard. Visitation will be Tuesday, June 2, from 10 a.m. until the time of service at the church. Pallbearers will be Garret, Chad, Eli and Patrick Lipske; Ricky Peterson and Seth Hanson. To view Clarence's obituary online, sign the guestbook and express condolences, visit mckevittpatrickfuneralhome.com. Arrangements are with the McKevitt-Patrick Funeral Home, Inc. of Ironwood.