Obituary for Thomas Leigh Ruetten
Thomas Leigh Ruetten age 72 passed away on 1/11/22. Tom was born March 30, 1949, in Sparta Wisconsin to Fredrick Ruetten and Leona (Von Ruden). He grew up in Waukesha graduating from St Joseph’s grade school and Catholic Memorial High School in Waukesha. He worked at Sentry Foods as an assistant produce manager and paid his own way through high school and college. Tom wrote for the high school paper and excelled playing the part of Bernardo in a West Side Story high school play. He graduated from UWM with a master’s degree in business administration. Tom worked for Coach USA & then Kobussen Buses for 22 years as a Terminals Manager. Tom mapped out, prepared bid proposals and negotiated and secured school bus contracts with the Waukesha Schools district, Sun Prairie, Madison and other districts across Wisconsin. His favorite event was working with the Oshkosh EAA Fly-in-Event where he negotiated and ran the grounds shuttle bus service for the week with his Kobussen “Family.”
He was very proud of family farm heritage. His mother grew up on a family farm of 10 siblings and his father was one of 19 children growing up on a family farm near Sparta Wisconsin. He could tell you stories of most of his aunts and uncles and kept in close contact with many of his cousins and nephews. Family meant a great deal to Tom. When he was younger and in good health, he would always help any of the relatives and friends with moving, help with filing taxes or landscaping a new yard. He enjoyed golfing, playing sheepshead and cocktails with friends. He enjoyed a cabin that he built with the help of his 2 partners, friends and relatives near the Black River State Forest and relaxed whenever they could get away with Chris in Puerto Vallarta, MX.
Tom is survived by his wife Christine Ruetten (Napruszewski), a stepson Robert Rynders (Bronk), a sister Joan Kasian, husband Dennis, a sister Cathy Resheske, husband David, brother, Robert Ruetten, & wife Gail, brother Allan Ruetten and many cousins, nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother Gerald.
Visitation will be at the Phillip Funeral Home Chapel (1420 W Paradise Dr West Bend) on Friday, February 4th from 1:00PM until 4:00pm. A Memorial Service for Tom will be held at 3:15pm on Friday, February 4th at the funeral home with Fr Don Zerkel presiding.
He was very proud of family farm heritage. His mother grew up on a family farm of 10 siblings and his father was one of 19 children growing up on a family farm near Sparta Wisconsin. He could tell you stories of most of his aunts and uncles and kept in close contact with many of his cousins and nephews. Family meant a great deal to Tom. When he was younger and in good health, he would always help any of the relatives and friends with moving, help with filing taxes or landscaping a new yard. He enjoyed golfing, playing sheepshead and cocktails with friends. He enjoyed a cabin that he built with the help of his 2 partners, friends and relatives near the Black River State Forest and relaxed whenever they could get away with Chris in Puerto Vallarta, MX.
Tom is survived by his wife Christine Ruetten (Napruszewski), a stepson Robert Rynders (Bronk), a sister Joan Kasian, husband Dennis, a sister Cathy Resheske, husband David, brother, Robert Ruetten, & wife Gail, brother Allan Ruetten and many cousins, nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother Gerald.
Visitation will be at the Phillip Funeral Home Chapel (1420 W Paradise Dr West Bend) on Friday, February 4th from 1:00PM until 4:00pm. A Memorial Service for Tom will be held at 3:15pm on Friday, February 4th at the funeral home with Fr Don Zerkel presiding.