Stephanie Ruschiwal, 94, of Lakeland, Florida, died November 30, 2021, at Lakeland Regional Hospital.

Stephanie was born in Mitrowitz, Yugoslavia, on August 20, 1927, to Josef John and Eva (Bugadzija) John. Near the end of WWII, Stephanie refugeed from Yugoslavia to Austria, where she met her husband, and they started their family. In 1956, Stephanie and her husband and family immigrated to the United States with the assistance of the American Embassy in Salzburg, Austria, and the sponsorship of the Rotary Club in Wayne, Pennsylvania, where she settled with her family. In 1981, Stephanie and her husband came to Lakeland, Florida, to join their daughter who was residing here. They were later joined by their son and his family when they relocated to central Florida.

Stephanie is survived by her daughter, Stephanie Kriplean (John Kriplean), son, Joseph Ruschiwal (Connie Powell Ruschiwal) grandchildren, Nicole Kriplean, John Kriplean, Rachel Ruschiwal Lobaugh, Joseph James Ruschiwal, great-grandchildren, Nicholas Grebinger, Kassidy Grebinger, Joseph Daniel Ruschiwal, Stephen Ruschiwal, Sean Ruschiwal; a nephew, Robert John and several great-nieces and great-nephews.

Stephanie is preceded in death by her parents, Josef and Eva John, brothers Frank John and Rudy John, and her husband, Joseph Ruschiwal.

Visitation will begin at 10 am, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11 am, on Friday, December 3, 2021, at St. John Neumann Catholic Church, 501 E. Carter Road, Lakeland, FL 33813. Interment will follow at Lakeland Memorial Gardens.

A celebration of life will be held after the graveside service at Stephanie’s home.