Rudolph "Rudy" Ganga, 97, of Iron Mountain, passed away Sunday, February 19, 2012, at Maryhill Manor, Niagara. He was born February 18, 1915, in Iron Mountain, son of the late John and Nicoletta (Secinaro) Ganga. Rudy was a lifelong resident of Iron Mountain and graduated from Iron Mountain High School, Class of 1933. Rudy married Gertrude Fritz in 1937, at the St. Anthony Catholic Church, Niagara. She preceded him in death in December of 1988. He studied surveying through the International Correspondence Schools of Scranton, Penn. Rudy worked for the Department of State Highways and Transportation for 43 years, retiring as the dean of department project engineers on March 18, 1978. He was granted a wartime leave to serve as senior instrumentman with the War Department for construction of the MacArthur Lock at Sault Ste. Marie. Rudy was given the honor of riding the first ship through the complete lock in 1943. In recognition of his long record of service, the department had designated a roadside park on US-2 nine miles east of Menominee County in his name. Many of Rudy's projects were on US-2 in Menominee County. Rudy was a monitor for the civil service tests that were offered in the area, and he worked as a citizen's advisor to the local law enforcement agencies. He was a very active member of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church. Rudy served on the Financial Committee and the Holy Name Society. He also established the Rudy Ganga Scholorship in 2008, for students at Iron Mountain High School who have a sincere desire to pursue higher education in engineering, education, or nursing. Rudy enjoyed gardening and canning and inspired his extended family to do the same. His two greatest loves were his family and his work. Rudy is survived by one sister, Carmeline (Joe) Ivacko, Kingsford; eight nephews, Jon (Linda) Ivacko, Kingsford, Jim Ivacko, Pembine, John J. Ganga, Columbus, Wis., Bruce (Colleen Osier) Morstad, Amasa, Jeff (Kathy) Morstad, McFarland, Wis., Jack Giancola, Pensacola, Fla., Joe Giancola, Iron Mountain, Jack (Joyce) Fritz, Darboy, Wis.; five nieces, Carol (Dale) Larson, Iron Mountain, Ann Lou (Joe) Pellegrini, Appleton, Wis., Geraldine Steffan, Oshkosh, Jane Mariucci, Hyland Nursing Home, Jean Schlais, Kenosha, Wis.; very special friends, Richard and Carolyn Giancola, Kingsford; many other nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews. Along with his parents and wife, he was preceded by his step-mother, Crociffissa Mosca; three brothers, Anthony "Tony" Ganga, Carmen Ganga, William "Bill" Ganga; one step-brother, John Zaccardi; three step-sisters, Nelda Menghini, Armenia Mariucci, and Molly Ganga. The visitation will be Friday, February 24, 2012, from 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Jacobs Funeral Home, Iron Mountain. Prayers will be recited Friday, 12:30 p.m. at the funeral home. The Mass of Christian Burial will be held 1:00 p.m., Friday at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church. Msgr. James Kaczmarek will officiate. Burial will be in Cemetery Park, Iron Mountain. You may light a candle in remembrance of Rudolph, or leave a condolence for his family online at www.JacobsFuneralHomes.com The Jacobs Funeral Home, Iron Mountain, is serving the family.