NEW GLARUS - Donald R. Rufenacht, age 78, of New Glarus, WI, passed away after a long battle with prostate cancer on Wednesday, January 9, 2008 at the New Glarus Home. He was born May 6, 1929 in Monroe, WI, the son of Walter F. and Hilda (Drake) Rufenacht. He was a graduate of New Glarus High School class of 1947. On Sept. 12, 1948 he was united in marriage to Jean Walden at the Argyle Lutheran Church by the Reverend Roy Walden.
From the age of twelve he worked along with his father, Walter, operating the Sinclair station in New Glarus. Following high school Don formed a partnership with Stan and Donna Rupnow to form the Rufenacht/Rupnow Oil Company better known as the Fuel Oil Kids. When Hwy. 69 changed course, they expanded with a new service station at the entrance to the village. In 1962, Don and Stan sold the business and Don ventured to California with his family. After a year they returned to New Glarus where Don was employed by Disch Hardware for fifteen years. He then worked as the general manager for the Blanchardville Co-Op until his retirement in 1995 with his crowning achievement of bringing a Culver's to New Glarus.
Don and Jean loved to travel throughout the U.S. They loved to play cards with friends and cherished attending their grandchildren's school activities.
Don is survived by his wife, Jean of New Glarus; a son, Larry (Betsy Carlson) Rufenacht of Sauk City; two daughters, Sheryl Patzer of Milwaukee and Teri Sue (Brian) Teclaw of Plainfield, IL; former son-in-law, David Patzer of Milwaukee and former daughter-in-law, Paulette Rufenacht of Madison; eight grandchildren, Tynille and Tyler Rufenacht, Calyn, Dean, Chase, and Alecia Patzer, Aliah Teclaw, and Annie Carlson; a brother, Kenneth D. Rufenacht of Monroe; brothers-in-law, Gerald Kesler and Harlan (Ann) Walden; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Marian Kesler; and a brother, Delbert Rufenacht.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, January 12, 2008 at 1:30 p.m. at the New Glarus Home Chapel, 600 2nd Ave., New Glarus, WI, with the Reverend Tim Nybroten officiating with burial in the Swiss Church Cemetery.
Relatives and friends may call from 3 to 7 p.m. on Friday, January 11, 2008 at the Zentner-Beal Funeral Home, 29 6th Ave., New Glarus and from noon until time of service on Saturday, January 12, 2008, at the New Glarus Home Chapel.
A memorial fund has been established.
From the age of twelve he worked along with his father, Walter, operating the Sinclair station in New Glarus. Following high school Don formed a partnership with Stan and Donna Rupnow to form the Rufenacht/Rupnow Oil Company better known as the Fuel Oil Kids. When Hwy. 69 changed course, they expanded with a new service station at the entrance to the village. In 1962, Don and Stan sold the business and Don ventured to California with his family. After a year they returned to New Glarus where Don was employed by Disch Hardware for fifteen years. He then worked as the general manager for the Blanchardville Co-Op until his retirement in 1995 with his crowning achievement of bringing a Culver's to New Glarus.
Don and Jean loved to travel throughout the U.S. They loved to play cards with friends and cherished attending their grandchildren's school activities.
Don is survived by his wife, Jean of New Glarus; a son, Larry (Betsy Carlson) Rufenacht of Sauk City; two daughters, Sheryl Patzer of Milwaukee and Teri Sue (Brian) Teclaw of Plainfield, IL; former son-in-law, David Patzer of Milwaukee and former daughter-in-law, Paulette Rufenacht of Madison; eight grandchildren, Tynille and Tyler Rufenacht, Calyn, Dean, Chase, and Alecia Patzer, Aliah Teclaw, and Annie Carlson; a brother, Kenneth D. Rufenacht of Monroe; brothers-in-law, Gerald Kesler and Harlan (Ann) Walden; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Marian Kesler; and a brother, Delbert Rufenacht.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, January 12, 2008 at 1:30 p.m. at the New Glarus Home Chapel, 600 2nd Ave., New Glarus, WI, with the Reverend Tim Nybroten officiating with burial in the Swiss Church Cemetery.
Relatives and friends may call from 3 to 7 p.m. on Friday, January 11, 2008 at the Zentner-Beal Funeral Home, 29 6th Ave., New Glarus and from noon until time of service on Saturday, January 12, 2008, at the New Glarus Home Chapel.
A memorial fund has been established.