James “Jim” Rutten
James Francis Rutten “Jim,” 80, passed away peacefully with his loving family by his side on December 8, 2021. Jim was born November 14, 1941, to the late Richard and Lorraine Rutten. In 1964, Jim married the love of his life, Kathleen Timm.
Jim started his family almost immediately after he and Kathy were married. Their love blessed them with two amazing sons. Together they raised their boys spending much of their time taking fishing trips to Canada, camping, shooting guns, deer hunting, spending time at “the 40”, and working in the shop, at home or at school together. Kathleen preceded Jim in death On October 5, 1988.
His love for teaching landed him a job as an Industrial Arts teacher, which included metal shop, drafting–mechanical or architectural, wood shop, and power mechanics in the Coleman School District, where he taught for 35 years until his retirement. Taking Jim’s classes, students (including his two sons), learned the art of “Ruttenizing”, which meant in his eyes, it was better. He touched the lives of many people in so many ways during his time as a teacher and beyond.
On December 8, 2002, Jim married Kathy Williams. Together, Jim and Kathy fulfilled Jim’s lifelong dream of spending his winters in Florida where they enjoyed the warm weather, swimming, and visiting with friends. Jim enjoyed wood carving and took classes in Florida. He and Kathy took a stain-glass class together—until Jim decided he should “teach” the class. Jim created many precious hand-made gifts for his special friends and grandchildren. Jim and Kathy loved to travel together. They enjoyed their trips to Kentucky where they visited friends, took in the scenery, and toured distilleries.
Jim will always be remembered as a kind and loving husband, dad, grandpa, brother, teacher, and friend by his family and all who knew him. Jim’s loved ones will forever cherish the time spent with Jim learning from him, his giggly laugh, his delicious apple pies, his perfectly seasoned chili and his famous beans. Jim loved his workshop. You could find him sitting on his stool smoking his pipe and tinkering on his equipment. The smell of his pipe will forever be in our senses as a constant reminder of Grandpa Jim.
Jim is remembered by his family, including his current wife, Kathy; his children, Robert (Jill) Rutten and Thomas (Marcia) Rutten; his stepchildren, Jennifer Nichols, Carrie (Derek) Watson and Michael (Julie) Williams; his grandchildren, Daniel “Danny” (Sara) Rutten, Michael “Mikey” (Lindsey) Rutten, Jacob (Kristin) Kornetzke, Joslyn Rutten, Allison (Nate) Brusewitz, Amber (Nicholas) Schroeder; his step-grandchildren, Mark, Matthew, and Sarah, and his great grandchildren, Harper and Brigit Rutten, Rowan Kornetzke, Logan and Ryan Brusewitz, and Braelynn and Brooklynn Schroeder. He is also remembered by his brothers, Peter (Vicki) Rutten, David (Kim) Rutten, and Steve (Kathy) Rutten; his sister, Mary Rutten (David) Schinbeckler; his sister-in-law, Darlene (Russ) Massey, and many nieces and nephews.
Jim has reunited with his wife, Kathleen, his mom and dad, Richard, and Lorraine Rutten, his mother-and- father-in-law Evelyn and Raymond Timm, and his sister-in-law Jean and her husband Harry Jaquet, his grandparents, several aunts and uncles and other relatives in their eternal life.
Visitation will be at Proko-Wall Funeral Home, 1630 E. Mason St., Green Bay, on Thursday, December 16, 2021, from 9:00 a.m. until the time of Memorial Service at 11:00 a.m. with Rev. Luke Ferris officiating. Interment will be at Allouez Catholic Cemetery. Online condolences may be expressed at www.prokowall.com.
The family extends a special thanks to staff at Aurora Bay Care Medical Center and their Hospice team for the loving care they gave to Jim during his stay.
“Get the ropes, we’re shoving off”