Louise "Lola" Brisson Rusoff Irving Obituary (1920 - 2015)

Louise “Lola” Brisson Rusoff Irving, age 95, died in her sleep in New York on July 27, 2015. She was born in Hugo, MN on May 22, 1920, one of ten children of George & Mary “Mamie” Brisson. The family moved to St Paul in 1923 but her father, who never forgot his love of farming, settled his family on Spruce St., near the produce market, and later a house on Mount Airy. A brilliant student, artist, and gifted storyteller, Louise was a graduate of Mechanic Arts High. In 1942 she fell in love with and married Saul Rusoff and together they raised daughters Tamara (Tammy), and Marly, now of New York, and sons David and Marc, both deceased. Saul and Louise built The American Bindery in Minneapolis, a book bindery where Louise started a nationally recognized on-the-job training program for disadvantaged youths; she went on to became the Assistant to the charismatic Rabbi Meier Eisemann of the Torah Academy. Louise served on the board of The Phyllis Wheatley Settlement House. She later was employed by Control Data in a plant intended to make computers and provide employment opportunities to Minneapolis’ impoverished north side. Louise and Saul came from large families and loved being around young people; their home on Lake Calhoun became a gathering place. After years of fighting cancer, Saul died in 1968. In 1974 Louise married Charles “Charlie” Irving, a TV producer and actor from St Paul who began his career reading fairytales on local radio. Louise recognized his voice from his days as announcer on Ma Perkins and as the Young Doctor Malone. Louise also helped her daughter Marly open Rusoff & Co. Bookdealers in Dinkytown. Charlie became a favorite storyteller in the Loft above the store. She is survived by her sisters Roxanne, Patty and Betty; daughters Tamara Rusoff Hoen, (Jonathan) and Marly Rusoff Radulescu (Mihai); grandchildren Daniel, Benjamin, Clea and Kari; great grandchildren, Cooper and Allison. Private graveside service FRIDAY at Sons of Moses Cemetery in St Paul. Louise loved the 91st Psalm. Those who knew her are invited to read it in her memory.