Charles L. “Chuck” Rutenbeck, 74, of Wayne, died Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024 at an Omaha hospital.
Services will be held Sunday, Nov. 10 at Our Savior Lutheran Church in Wayne. Visitation will be Saturday, Nov. 9 from 7 to 9 p.m. at Our Savior Lutheran Church in Wayne. Burial will be in Greenwood Cemetery in Wayne.
Arrangements are with Hasemann Funeral Home of Wayne.
Memorials may be directed to the Rutenbeck Family for later designation.
Charles “Chuck” Lynn Rutenbeck was born Feb. 18, 1950 at Rensselaer, Indiana to Marvin and Minnie (Gehrls) Rutenbeck. He grew up on his parent’s farm south of Olin Iowa. He attended school at Olin Community Schools. Chuck moved to Wayne, Nebraska, after graduating high school in 1968 to attend Wayne State College with a life-long friend, Mike Inglis. In 1972, he graduated from WSC with a BS degree in accounting. While attending WSC Chuck met Kathy and on Sept. 2, 1972 they were married at the St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Winside.
Chuck worked the entire time he went to college for Jack and Mary Ann Langemeier on their dairy farm south of Wayne and for Zach Propane. Farming was always in his blood. Following graduation, he was offered a partnership at the dairy and he accepted. In 1974, Chuck and Kathy bought 80 acres from Harvey and Irene Reibold. They worked together to raise their family by doing what he loved most, farming. He also started a side business in 2004, Rutenbeck Grain Vac Sales and Rentals.
Chuck was always very active in the Wayne Community. In college, he belonged to the Delta Sigma Phi fraternity. He was a member of the Wayne County Jaycees. He especially enjoyed helping with the 4th of July Fireworks display for the community for many years. Chuck was Scoutmaster for the Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts, while his sons were involved. Many camping trips and paper drives were routine during this time. He was very proud of the young boys, who became Eagle Scouts. He belonged to the Wayne County Pork Producers. His highlight was being able to help organize and feed the community during the Wayne Centennial celebration in 1984. He and Kathy participated in a neighborhood card club for over 46 years. He served on the board for the Oaks Retirement Community and was Treasurer of the Northeast Nebraska Investment Club. Chuck served OSLC in many positions: church council, call committee, confirmation mentor, Choir director and played drums on occasion, Worship & Music Committee, maintenance, and of recent, served as Treasurer of the OSLC Foundation Committee.
Survivors include his wife, Kathy; their children, Terry (Angela) Rutenbeck and Micky Rutenbeck; six grandchildren. sisters, Dianne Barkley and special friend, Duane ‘Mac’ McCloskey and Mardonna Foley, both from West Des Moines, Iowa, sister, Deb Buol of Yuma, Arizona; brother, Don Rutenbeck of Farmington, Missouri; brothers-in-law, Jerry (Sharon) Junck and Dennis (Nancy) Junck, both of Wayne; and many nieces; nephews;great nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his parents in-law, Arnold and Ivy Junck; brothers-in-law, Larry Foley, Steve Barkley, and Jerry Buol; sisters-in-law, Anne Rutenbeck and Linda Rutenbeck; nephew, Jeff Schaffer; great niece, Leilani Rutenbeck; and many aunts and uncles.
