James Ruppe

James Albert Ruppe passed away peacefully on June 16, 2025, at Mayo Clinic St. Mary's Campus in Rochester, MN.

He was born on November 27, 1932, in Lake Linden, Michigan, and was a lifelong resident of Houghton, Michigan. He was the son of Peter Edward Ruppe and Antoinette Bosch Ruppe and brother of Joseph B. Ruppe and Philip E. Ruppe.

Jim was deeply proud of his family's ties to the Copper Country. He traced his roots back to the copper mining boom of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. His paternal grandfather, Peter Sr., emigrated to America from Slovenia in 1854 and established the P. Ruppe & Sons store in Hancock in 1866, with a second store in Calumet and a third in L'Anse to follow. His maternal grandfather, Joseph Bosch, an early settler to the area, founded the Bosch Brewing Company, one of the most successful regional breweries in Michigan. When Joseph died, Antoinette and Katherine "Katchen" Bosch, Jim's mother and aunt, operated the brewery together with Jim and his brother Philip, until it was sold in 1965.

Jim graduated from Cranwell School, attended Georgetown University, and received his M.B.A. from Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Business. In addition to his role with Bosch Brewing, Jim's varied career included stints managing timber operations in Texas and serving as President of the First National Bank of Calumet-Lake Linden.

He is survived by his brother, The Honorable Philip E. Ruppe, nieces Antoinette Ruppe Greenberg, Adele Ruppe (Peter Grant), Katherine Ruppe (Kevin Jarvis), Mary Ruppe Nash (Stuart), Coletta Ruppe Ivy (Grady), Katchen Ruppe Benak (Mark), and numerous grandnieces and grandnephews.

Jim was predeceased by the love of his life, Anita Mangels, with whom he enjoyed nearly 50 years of companionship and travel around the world.

A Celebration of Life will take place at Charter House, 211 2nd Street NW, Rochester, MN 55901, on Thursday, June 26 at 10:00 am in the Chapel on the first floor of Charter House with a reception to follow on the 22nd floor.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Ronald McDonald House.

Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Home is honored to be serving the Ruppe family. To share a special memory or condolence or to view the livestream of the service, please visit https://www.ranfranzandvinefh.com/obituaries/james-ruppe