Armin Frederick Rufener, age 98 died October 23 at his home near Monroe.
Armin passed into the presence of his Lord and Savior as he was surrounded by his wife of 71 years and his loving family. He was born January 8, 1914 to Jacob Frederick and Elisa (Janzi) Rufener, both of Switzerland. He married Kathryn L. Blumer February 12, 1941 at St. Johns United Church of Christ, Monroe. Armin spent his entire life in the Monroe area. Since 1942 he found great joy living and working on the family's Century Farm, and was a dairy farmer until his retirement in the mid 1980's. He was a patriotic American that loved antique tractors, and was proud of his 1931 Model A Ford. He and Mrs. Rufener loved to go out to eat, and were "regulars" at several restaurants around town. Wherever he went, Armin always greeted people with a smile and heartfelt handshake, and was genuinely interested in what they had to say. He was proud of his Swiss heritage and loved Cheese Days, especially riding in the parade. Additionally, Armin thoroughly enjoyed traveling, venturing as far as Switzerland and Alaska. He visited most of the fifty states and countless national parks, and was proficient as the family navigator on every trip. A strong believer in community involvement and service, he was a member of Monroe Bible Church, Gideon's International, Moose Lodge, Green County Conservation League and Green County Ag Chest. Most importantly, he loved spending time with his large family.
Armin is survived by his wife Kathryn, their 5 children Ronald Rufener, Linda (Mark) Wells, both of Monroe, Darleen (Joe) Walraven, Smyrna, GA, Joann (Michael) Huber, Mt. Prospect, IL and Donna (Erick) Bisegger of South Wayne; 14 grandchildren Scott (Kaew) Rufener, Aimee (Bill) Gobeli, Jared (Annie) Wells, Brianna (Justin) Coverstone, Benjamin (Carolyn) Wells, Abigail (Ben) Garard, Kathryn and Joseph Huber, Elise (Chris) Morris, Erinn (Chad) Witz, Andrew, Alex, Ross and Collin Bisegger; 17 great-grandchildren; sisters Alice Camenzind, Gertrude Vogeli and Erna Maske; and brothers Erwin, Arnold, Ernest, Emil (Mike) and Walter Rufener.
Armin was preceded in death by his parents, mother- and father-in-law and brother Jacob.
Funeral services will be held on Friday, October 26, 2012, at 11:00 a.m. at the Monroe Bible Church, 2613 8th. Avenue, Monroe, with Pastor Dan Krahenbuhl officiating. Interment will follow in Greenwood Cemetery, Monroe. Visitation will be at the Newcomer Funeral Home, 1329 31st. Avenue, Monroe, on Thursday, October 25, from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. A memorial fund will be established in Armin's name for Gideon's International, Monroe Bible Church, or the Salvation Army. To share a memory or sign the guestbook go to www.newcomerfuneralhome.net.
Armin passed into the presence of his Lord and Savior as he was surrounded by his wife of 71 years and his loving family. He was born January 8, 1914 to Jacob Frederick and Elisa (Janzi) Rufener, both of Switzerland. He married Kathryn L. Blumer February 12, 1941 at St. Johns United Church of Christ, Monroe. Armin spent his entire life in the Monroe area. Since 1942 he found great joy living and working on the family's Century Farm, and was a dairy farmer until his retirement in the mid 1980's. He was a patriotic American that loved antique tractors, and was proud of his 1931 Model A Ford. He and Mrs. Rufener loved to go out to eat, and were "regulars" at several restaurants around town. Wherever he went, Armin always greeted people with a smile and heartfelt handshake, and was genuinely interested in what they had to say. He was proud of his Swiss heritage and loved Cheese Days, especially riding in the parade. Additionally, Armin thoroughly enjoyed traveling, venturing as far as Switzerland and Alaska. He visited most of the fifty states and countless national parks, and was proficient as the family navigator on every trip. A strong believer in community involvement and service, he was a member of Monroe Bible Church, Gideon's International, Moose Lodge, Green County Conservation League and Green County Ag Chest. Most importantly, he loved spending time with his large family.
Armin is survived by his wife Kathryn, their 5 children Ronald Rufener, Linda (Mark) Wells, both of Monroe, Darleen (Joe) Walraven, Smyrna, GA, Joann (Michael) Huber, Mt. Prospect, IL and Donna (Erick) Bisegger of South Wayne; 14 grandchildren Scott (Kaew) Rufener, Aimee (Bill) Gobeli, Jared (Annie) Wells, Brianna (Justin) Coverstone, Benjamin (Carolyn) Wells, Abigail (Ben) Garard, Kathryn and Joseph Huber, Elise (Chris) Morris, Erinn (Chad) Witz, Andrew, Alex, Ross and Collin Bisegger; 17 great-grandchildren; sisters Alice Camenzind, Gertrude Vogeli and Erna Maske; and brothers Erwin, Arnold, Ernest, Emil (Mike) and Walter Rufener.
Armin was preceded in death by his parents, mother- and father-in-law and brother Jacob.
Funeral services will be held on Friday, October 26, 2012, at 11:00 a.m. at the Monroe Bible Church, 2613 8th. Avenue, Monroe, with Pastor Dan Krahenbuhl officiating. Interment will follow in Greenwood Cemetery, Monroe. Visitation will be at the Newcomer Funeral Home, 1329 31st. Avenue, Monroe, on Thursday, October 25, from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. A memorial fund will be established in Armin's name for Gideon's International, Monroe Bible Church, or the Salvation Army. To share a memory or sign the guestbook go to www.newcomerfuneralhome.net.