Caledonia Argus

Posted: 2/6/03

Johanna Rukavina

Johanna Catherine Rukavina, 57, of Caledonia, died Wednesday, February 5, 2003, at Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center after a courageous battle with cancer. She was born July 1, 1945 to Elizabeth (Cosenza) and Salvatore (Sam) Moschelli in Detroit, Michigan. She attended St. Clair Shores High School in St. Claire Shores, Michigan. In 1998 she graduated from UWL with a B.S. degree in elementary and reading education at the age of 53. Johanna married Steve B. Rukavina, Jr. on September 12, 1970 at St. Margaret's Church in St. Claire Shores.

She was a first grade and reading resource teacher at Sand Lake Elementary School in Holmen, WI. It was her passion to help her student's learn to read, especially struggling readers. She worked in daycare, as head of the craft department at Ben Franklin and educational assistant at Caledonia Elementary school. She was active in the Caledonia community as a Boy Scout leader (7 Eagle Scouts) and band parent member. She was loved by family and many, many friends.

Johanna is preceded in death by her parents; and two brothers, Anthony and Larry.

She is survived by her husband Steve of Caledonia; two sons, Paul, a college teacher at L.S.U. in Baton Rouge, LA, and Marc, a Spanish teacher in Black River Falls, WI; two brothers, Frank (Annette) Moschelli of St. Clair Shores, MI and John (Patricia) Moschelli of Sterling Heights, MI; and nephews and nieces.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11 a.m., Saturday, February 8, at St. Mary's Catholic Church, Caledonia. Father Thomas O'Neil of Viterbo University will officiate and burial will be in Calvary Cemetery, Caledonia. Friends may call from 4-7:30 p.m. Friday at McCormick Funeral Home, Caledonia, where a rosary will be said at 5 p.m. and a prayer service at 7 p.m. Friends may also call one hour prior to the service at the church Saturday.

Memorials are preferred to the Ovarian Cancer Foundation or to a fund that will be established for a Children's Tutorial Reading Program.

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