James F. Rutten

James “Jim,” Francis Rutten, 80, passed away Wednesday, Dec. 8, 2021 with family by his side. 

Born Nov. 14, 1941, to the late Richard and Lorraine Rutten, in 1964 he married Kathleen Timm and immediately started their family. They had two sons and together they raised their boys taking fishing trips to Canada, camping, shooting guns, deer hunting, time at “the 40” and working in the shop, at home or at school together. She preceded him in death on Oct. 5, 1988. 

He loved teaching and was 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 retiring. 

His students, including his sons, learned the art of “Ruttenizing”, which meant in his eyes, it was better. He touched the lives of many people in many ways as a teacher and beyond. 

On Dec. 8, 2002, he married Kathy Williams and together they fulfilled his lifelong dream of wintering in Florida where they enjoyed the warm weather, swimming and visiting with friends 

He enjoyed wood carving and took classes in Florida. They both took a stained-glass class together and then he taught the class, creating many hand-made gifts for his special friends and grandchildren. They loved to travel together and enjoyed trips to Kentucky where they visited friends, took in the scenery, and toured distilleries. 

He will be remembered as a kind, loving person and friend by his family and all who knew him. His loved ones will cherish the time spent with him, learning from him, his giggly laugh, his apple pies, perfectly seasoned chili and his famous beans. He loved his workshop where he sat on his stool smoking his pipe and tinkering on his equipment. The smell of his pipe will be a constant reminder of Grandpa Jim. 

Survivors include his current wife, Kathy; two children, Robert (Jill) Rutten and Thomas (Marcia) Rutten; three step-children, Jennifer Nichols, Carrie (Derek) Watson and Michael (Julie) Williams; six grandchildren; three step-grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; three brothers, Peter (Vicki) Rutten, David (Kim) Rutten and Steve (Kathy) Rutten; a sister, Mary Rutten (David) Schinbeckler; a sister-in-law, Darlene (Russ) Massey and many nieces and nephews. 

Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by his first wife, Kathleen; his mother-in-law and father-in-law, Evelyn and Raymond Timm; a sister-in-law, Jean and her husband Harry Jaquet; grandparents and many aunts; uncles and other relatives. 

Visitation will be at Proko Wall Funeral Home, 1630 E. Mason St., Green Bay on Thursday, Dec. 16  from 9 a.m. until time of a Memorial Service at 11 a.m., with Rev. Luke Ferris officiating. Interment will be at Allouez Catholic Cemetery. Online condolences can be made at www.prokowall.com

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