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Eugene “Gene” Ruetz

Eugene Paul “Gene” Ruetz, aka “Geno”, age 81 of rural New Richmond, Wisconsin, died on January 4, 2011 at the Baldwin Area Medical Center.  Eugene was born on February 16, 1929 to Paul and Ruth (Kohlmann) Ruetz in Racine, Wisconsin.  He grew up in Kenosha where he graduated from Saint Catherine’s High School in 1947.  Gene was active in the Catholic Youth Organization in high school, playing basketball and baseball.  Eugene also participated in high school track as a pole vaulter and sprinter. 

It was after high school that Eugene heard his country’s call and joined the Naval Reserve.  Shortly after, he enlisted into the US Army.  Eugene served during the Korean War in Company M, 279th Infantry Regiment, 45th Division. After serving in the army, completing a full tour of duty, he attended college at Utah State where he received a BS in Forestry in 1956

After graduating from Utah State he began a career with the National Forest Service, stationed in Idaho.  In 1957 he began work with the Wisconsin Conservation Department, (subsequently the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources) where he oversaw the planting of millions of pine and hardwood seedlings in Polk and St. Croix County, among other conservation duties. On September 19, 1981 he married Donna Mae Timm at the Cross Lutheran Church in Roberts, Wisconsin and the two settled in Warren, Wisconsin.

He retired from the DNR in 1984 and then began a private forestry consultant business with Milo Tappon.  Harry Kincaid joined the operation in late 80’s and the business became known as Ruetz, Tappon and Kincaid Forestry Consultants.  Eugene stayed active with the business until 2000, at which point he decided to enjoy some more “leisure time”.

Eugene was a very active man and was constantly on the go.  Much of his time was spent outdoors hunting, fishing, camping, boating, coaching baseball and taking part in fast pitch softball.  He enjoyed travel.  Some of his destinations included; Hawaii, Mexico, Alaska & the Caribbean.  He was very involved as a group leader working with kids.  He was a Boy Scout Troop Master for Baldwin and Hammond, a Hunter Safety Instructor for St. Croix County for 25 years, and was always taking groups of kids to Twins baseball games.  Eugene was a member of the Hammond American Legion Post 432, the Lions Club and the St. Croix County Board.  He loved dogs: from raising and showing Collies in Utah and  Wisconsin, to his bird dogs, to enjoying spending time with his Yorkies, Cuddles and Sophie. 

Eugene was a part of many lives and will be dearly missed.  He is survived by his; wife, Donna of Warren; children, Kevin Ruetz of Hammond and Lisa Trummer of Mounds View, MN; granddaughter, Sarah Trummer; sister, Dorothy Usinger of Kenosha, WI; brothers, Marlin “Butch” (Mary) Ruetz of Adams, WI and Ken (Jo) Ruetz of  Bradenton, Florida; former wife, Marjorie Moore and numerous nieces, nephews and good friends. He is preceded in death by his; his parents; brother, Fred and brother-in-law, Robert Usinger.   

Funeral Services for Eugene will be held on Saturday, January 8, 2011 at 11:00 AM at the Cross Lutheran Church of Roberts, with Pastor Dean Simpson officiating. Visitation will be held one hour prior to services at the church, and from 5:00-8:00 PM on Friday evening, January 7, 2011 at the church. Burial will be held at Fort Snelling National Cemetery at a later date.  Services are in the care of the O’Connell Family Funeral Home – Baldwin. 715.684.3434

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