John Joseph Ruemmele, aged 85, of River Falls, WI, passed away peacefully at his home on December 4, 2024. Born on August 18, 1939, in Stillwater, MN, to parents John and Ethlyn Ruemmele. John was baptized and confirmed at St Patrick Catholic Church in Hudson, WI. In September of 1956 he enlisted in the Wisconsin National Guard before graduating from River Falls High School in 1957. He obtained a BS in Agriculture Education from Wisconsin State College in River Falls, WI in 1961. He then enrolled in graduate school in the Agronomy Department at the University of Minnesota in the fall, however, John’s guard unit got called up to active duty and he served from 1961-62 at Ft Lewis in Washington state. After his service, he was honorably discharged and returned to graduate school. In the Spring of 1963, he returned to the family farm and together with his brother Thomas, took over the family farm, and farmed together until 1997.
On June 26, 1976, John married Barbara Kissner at St Patrick Catholic Church and were blessed with over 48 years of marriage. John’s commitment to hard work defined his years, but it was his unwavering faith and devotion to his church community at St. Patrick Catholic Church that truly enriched his life. John served on church committees, sang in the church choir and was most proud of his time spent on the building committee which was instrumental in the building of the current church. John also spent time as Town of Troy Clerk and Chairman and on various other committees throughout his life.
John is survived by his wife, Barbara; siblings Thomas (Nell) Ruemmele and Kathleen Arens, as well as many nieces, nephews, in-laws and friends.
He is preceded in death by his parents John and Ethlyn; brother-in-law Robert Arens and sister-in-law Normandy Ruemmele.
Mass of Christian burial for John will be held on Friday, December 13, 2024 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Parish in Hudson, WI. Visitation will be from 10-11 a.m. with Mass starting at 11 a.m. Memorials are preferred to St. Patrick Catholic Church or the American Cancer Society.
His service will be livestreamed on the St. Patrick Catholic Church’s Facebook page.
John will always be rememberd as a kind, caring, intelligent and compasssionate person. He and I served as town board members for 10 year in the Town of Troy. He served his community with honesty and fairness, which I found to be a valuable and rewarding. I learned alot from him and enjoyed his sense of humor, when he got the look on his face and glint in his eyes. We occasionally “played” golf and he would let me play without keeping score! My favorite way to play!
I will miss him and want Barb to know that she was very precious to him. Gloria
Sorry to hear about your loss, Barbara. We are grateful for the many tractor tours of the farm that John offered to our children. And we still have a painting of your family barn in our livingroom. We will be praying for you, as we keep a place for you both in our hearts.