Lisa K. LaForge Ruskaup's Obituary
Lisa K. Ruskaup, nee LaForge, 67 years of Columbia, IL, passed away on Saturday, January 3, 2026 with her family by her side at SSM Health St. Louis University Hospital, Saint Louis, MO. She was born May 14, 1958, in East St. Louis, IL.
Lisa began in the realty business when she was 21 years old, and began a career that would last 46 years. She was a member of the Realtor Association of Southwestern Illinois for over 40 years. She was an avid fan of the Kansas City Chiefs. Lisa loved spending time with her husband Gary, the three fur babies they fostered and adopted from Helping Strays of Monroe County, Jetta, Tobie and Cookie, and her family and friends.
Lisa will be remembered for her kindness, being a loving wife, daughter, sister and aunt. She was always the first to offer help and guidance whenever needed. Lisa will be deeply missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing her.
Surviving are her husband of 28 years, Gary Ruskaup, her mother, Nova Jean LaForge Chiasson, her siblings, Pam (Dan) Novara, Vicki (Don) Scheffler, Greg LaForge and Gina Hughes (Bruce Leesman), her sister-in-law, Terrie (Mark) Genovese, her nieces and nephews, Jamie Novara, Mandy (Joe) Schuster, Angie (Mike) Prusinowski, John Novara, Olivia Hughes, Chrissy Robinson, Ken Robinson and Leonard Genovese, along with great nieces and great nephews and many friends.
She was preceded in death by her father , Kenneth Gregory LaForge.
Visitation will be held on Wednesday, January 7, 2026 from 4:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. at Leesman Funeral Home in Columbia, IL. Funeral services will be held at 9:30 a.m. on Thursday, January 8, 2026 at Leesman Funeral Home in Columbia, IL., with Monsignor Carl Scherrer, officiating. Interment will follow in the Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery, St. Louis, MO.
In lieu of customary remembrances, the family requests with gratitude that memorial contributions be directed to the family. For more information, please access our website, https://www.leesmanfuneralhome.com. Arrangements were handled by Leesman Funeral Home.
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