Erwin P. Rufener age 93 of Monroe, died Tuesday, April 14, 2015 at Pleasant View Nursing Home. Erwin was born on January 8, 1922 in Monroe Township, the son of Jacob and Eloise (Janzi) Rufener. He attended Prien Rural School. Erwin served an apprenticeship in cheesemaking under his brother-in-law, Franz Camenzind, at the Gunderson Cheese Factory in rural Argyle until entering the U.S. Army in 1944. He served in Germany and was honorably discharged in 1946, earning the Purple Heart Medal. Erwin married Ardellis Ufken on June 6, 1948 at St. John's United Church of Christ. Erwin owned and operated the Holstein Prairie Cheese Factory in rural Monticello for several years before purchasing the Apple Grove Cheese Factory near Argyle which he operated from 1959 until retiring and moving to the farm in 1975. He was a lifelong member of St. John's United Church of Christ. Erwin enjoyed bowling on the Monday night league in New Glarus for many years, was an avid blood donor, and proudly raised Simmental cattle.
He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Ardellis Rufener of Monroe; a daughter, Connie (Gary) Betthauser of Camp Douglas, WI; a son, Paul (Patti) Rufener of New Glarus; nine grandchildren, Kristi (Richard) Lohmar, Anthony (Tanya) Betthauser, Brian Betthauser, Amanda (Michael) Busse, Sally Jo (Steven) Bye, Paul Casey (Heather) Rufener, Andrew (Shanna) Rufener, Kirsten (Brandon) Van Asten, and Derek Hendrickson; 12 great grandchildren; four brothers, Arnold, Ernest, Emil, and Walter Rufener; and two sisters, Gertrude Voegeli and Erna Maske. He was preceded in death by two brothers, Jacob and Armin Rufener; a sister, Alice Camenzind; and a daughter-in-law, Martha Rufener.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, April 18, 2015, at 11:00 A.M., at St. John's United Church of Christ, Monroe, with Rev. Todd Hackman officiating. Interment will be in Adams Lutheran Church Cemetery, rural Argyle. Visitation will be on Friday, April 17, from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at the Newcomer Funeral Home, Monroe. Memorials are suggested to St. John's Church in Erwin's name.
www.newcomerfuneralhome.net
He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Ardellis Rufener of Monroe; a daughter, Connie (Gary) Betthauser of Camp Douglas, WI; a son, Paul (Patti) Rufener of New Glarus; nine grandchildren, Kristi (Richard) Lohmar, Anthony (Tanya) Betthauser, Brian Betthauser, Amanda (Michael) Busse, Sally Jo (Steven) Bye, Paul Casey (Heather) Rufener, Andrew (Shanna) Rufener, Kirsten (Brandon) Van Asten, and Derek Hendrickson; 12 great grandchildren; four brothers, Arnold, Ernest, Emil, and Walter Rufener; and two sisters, Gertrude Voegeli and Erna Maske. He was preceded in death by two brothers, Jacob and Armin Rufener; a sister, Alice Camenzind; and a daughter-in-law, Martha Rufener.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, April 18, 2015, at 11:00 A.M., at St. John's United Church of Christ, Monroe, with Rev. Todd Hackman officiating. Interment will be in Adams Lutheran Church Cemetery, rural Argyle. Visitation will be on Friday, April 17, from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at the Newcomer Funeral Home, Monroe. Memorials are suggested to St. John's Church in Erwin's name.
www.newcomerfuneralhome.net