Stephen T. Ruetten

     Stephen T. Ruetten, 90, of Sparta, died Thursday, August 23, 2018. He was born on April 27, 1928 in Sparta to George and Mary (Muehlenberg) Ruetten. He attended St. Patrick’s Catholic School.

     Stephen worked at his sister’s family farm near New Glarus, WI before returning to his family farm. He continued planting crops even after he discontinued dairy farming. He was a true “Steward” of the land. He worked 47 years at St. Mary’s Hospital / Franciscan Skemp in Sparta. He was a very honest man with a tremendous work ethic and “always a helping hand!”

     Stephen married Ella M. Demers on June 20, 1953 at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Rice Lake. They were married 65 years.

     Stephen enjoyed traveling, especially to visit his children. He was a member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Sparta and always had a great devotion for our Blessed Mother.

     Stephen is survived by his wife, Ella of Sparta; his children, Stephanie Ruetten of La Crosse, Jean (Dan) Ladwig of Marshfield, WI, Lynette (Bill) Zitzner of Lexington, SC, Michael (Cindy) Ruetten of Plymouth, WI, Joel (Vicki) Ruetten of Green Bay, WI, Carol (Jerry) Friederick of Indianapolis, IN, and Kevin (Pam) Ruetten of Holmen, WI; 16 grandchildren, Sarah, Christopher, Kayla, Kaitlin, Tony, Kym, Hannah, Ryne, Brett, Rebecca, Bryce, Jessalyn, Catrice, Laik, Braidyn, and Jens; 8 great grandchildren; his siblings, Agnes Burnham of Sparta and Anthony (Helen) Ruetten of Waco, TX, and many nieces and nephews.

     He was preceded in death by his parents, George and Mary and siblings, George Ruetten, Sister Faith Ruetten, Sophia Cote, Rita Baumgartner, Veronica Weibel, and Charles Ruetten.

     A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, August 27, 2018 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Sparta, with Father Juan Pedro and Deacon David Allen officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery.

     Family and friends are invited to call from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. on Sunday at Lanham-Schanhofer Funeral Home, Sparta, with a rosary at 7 p.m. Visitation will continue Monday at St. Patrick’s from 10:00-11:00 with mass to follow.  In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to St. Patrick’s School Tuition Funds. 

        The Lanham-Schanhofer Funeral Home, Sparta, is assisting the family with funeral arrangements. 

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