Russell M. Ruetz D.D.S.

Russell M. Ruetz D.D.S., 93, passed away on Friday, July 15, 2016 at the Woods of Caledonia. Russell was born in Racine on January 8, 1923, son of the late Clarence and Ione (Nee: Kurten) Ruetz.

Russell was a lifelong resident of Racine. He was a graduate of St. Catherine's High School, Class of 1941. He completed his pre-dental studies at Marquette University and graduated from Loyola Dental School.

Russell served in the United States Navy during World War II. He proudly served as an Ensign on the LSM 125 in the South Pacific. He was united in marriage on February 9, 1957 to Anne Sporer at St Rose Catholic Church.

He was a dedicated dentist and operated his dental practice for many years, retiring in 1990. He was a man of precision and detail who loved dentistry, his patients, and his staff. He was a member of the Racine Dental Association.

Russell was community-minded and a member and past president of the Racine Rotary. He served on the Board of Directors of the Racine Boy Scouts. He was a former member and trustee at St. Edwards Catholic Church and a current member of St. Paul the Apostle Church. He was a member of the Racine Country Club and Somerset Club.

He enjoyed golf, travel to the South Pacific, Europe, fishing in Canada and family trips to Northern Wisconsin. He was a loving and proud father, grandfather and great-grandfather.

He will be dearly missed by his loving wife of fifty-nine years, Anne; his children, John (Ann) Ruetz, Peggy Ruetz, Judy (Emile) Pandolfi, Ellen (Bill) Donnelly; His nine grandchildren, Michael (Katie) Ruetz, Julie (Ryan) Walsh, Amy (Ben) Bechwar, Parisa Meymand (Mark), Elizabeth (Doug) Hildebrand, Kristin (Michael) Culbertson, Lahren (Wayne) Bryan, David (Parada) Ornelas, Tori (Matt) Hoffman; great-grandchildren, Graeme Walsh, Cameron Ruetz, Sophie and Lily Watson, Max, Charlie and Juniper Hildebrand, Sean and Cody Bryan, Emma, EJ, Ezra, Eden and Enslie Hoffman; brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, other relatives and many dear friends.

In addition to his parents, Russell was preceded in death by his first wife, Jean McEachern; brothers, Rev. James Ruetz, Dr. Philip Ruetz, Roland Ruetz, Gerald Ruetz and sister, Ellen Even.

The family would like to thank the staff at Ridgewood, Elizabeth Residence and Woods at Caledonia for their wonderful care.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Thursday, July 28, 2016, 11:00 A.M. at St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church, 6400 Spring Street, with Rev. William Dietzler officiating. Visitation will begin at the church at 9:30 A.M., followed by Mass at 11:00. Private interment services were held at Holy Cross Cemetery, Racine. Memorials to St. Catherine's High School, Health Care Network Inc. or to the Racine Community Foundation have been suggested.