Wayne A. Ruenger, 77, of Fox Lake passed away peacefully on Friday, May 5, 2017 at St. Mary’s Hospital in Madison.
Visitation for Wayne will be held on Thursday, May 11th from 11:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. at the Fox Lake Community Center. A funeral will follow at 2:00 p.m. with the Rev. Chris Davis officiating. Interment will be in Riverside Memorial Park Cemetery in Fox Lake. Graveside military honors will be conducted by the Fox Lake American Legion Post #521.
Wayne Arnold Ruenger was born on July 27, 1939 at St. Agnes Hospital in Fond du Lac, WI, the son of Arnold and Virginia (Quandt) Ruenger. Wayne graduated from Fox Lake High School in 1957.
He was a member of the 32nd Division, Co. E 127th Infantry of Beaver Dam, WI at the time when President John F. Kennedy called the 32nd Division to active duty in October of 1961 and he was sent to Fort Lewis, Washington during the Berlin Crisis.
Wayne worked for the Dodge Co. Highway Department from Sept. 1960 to July 1964. He was a Correctional Officer at the Fox Lake Correctional Institution from July 1964 to August 1978. He was in the private sector from September 1978 to April 1980, when he went to work for the State of Wisconsin at the Waupun Central Warehouse. He started out as a storekeeper in 1987. He was promoted to a purchasing assistant, and in 1990 was promoted to purchasing agent, a title he held until his retirement in July of 2001.
Wayne was an alderperson in the City of Fox Lake from 1970 – 1972. In 1972, he was elected Mayor of the City of Fox Lake, serving nine consecutive two year terms, a record for the City of Fox Lake, until 1990. He was elected Mayor again in 1996 serving until 1998.
He was the manager of the Green Giant softball team from 1969 until 1976 when Green Giant closed the plant in Fox Lake. He was a member of Fox Lake American Legion, Robert W. Ginther Post # 521.
Wayne was an avid bowler from 1958 – 1986. He was a member of the Fox Lake Golf Club. He also served on the Board of Directors of the Fox Lake Golf Course for three years. He served on the expansion committee of the Fox Lake Golf Course when they decided to expand from a nine hole course to an 18 hole course. He was also an avid Packer and Badger fan.
Wayne is survived by his two sons: Randall Ruenger and Bradley (Sara) Ruenger both of Fox Lake; his daughter Jill (Terry) Cullen of Beaver Dam; his five dearly loved grandchildren: Amber, Brock, and Jordan Ruenger of Randolph and Courtney and Connor Cullen of Beaver Dam, his sister Jeaneil (Richard) Yagodinski of Waterford, WI, two nieces and other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his father Arnold in 1969 and his mother Virginia (Quandt) Ruenger in 2013 and his faithful companion Shadow in 2016.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be directed to the Fox Lake American Legion Post #521.
The family wishes to extend a heartfelt thank you to St. Mary’s Hospital MICU, St. Mary’s 5th floor staff, Home Health United Hospice Team and Lifestar Transport. Your care, compassion and thoughtfulness will be forever remembered and was gratefully appreciated.
The Koepsell-Murray Funeral Home in Beaver Dam is serving the family. Online condolences may be made at www.koepsellfh.com
