Carol Jean Ruetten

Carol Jean Ruetten, age 78 of Spring Green, passed away peacefully at her home on Friday, January 31, 2014. Carol was born on October 1, 1935 to Harland and Mildred (Johnson) Forseth in Arena, WI. She grew up in Hyde, WI. She was proud to be a niece to Aunt Annie and Aunt Lena, owners of the Hyde Store. At age ten she tended the store, later sharing stories of its heyday. Carol graduated from Arena High School in 1953 as salutatorian and Madison Business College in 1955. On April 14, 1956 she married Fred Ruetten. They raised six sons on a beef, then dairy farm in Big Hollow, northwest of Spring Green. A gardener and preserver, she hosted wonderful home cooked meals. She worked at St. Mary's in Madison, Gruber Cheese in Plain and Arthurs in Spring Green. In their later years, Carol and Fred moved into Spring Green, to a newly built home. People frequently complimented her beautifully landscaped yard. Carol was a daily newspaper reader and crossword puzzler. She enjoyed documenting her ancestry, for which her family and friends are deeply grateful. She also tended to the gravesites of her ancestors. She passed on her Norwegian heritage by making lefse and Fred's German heritage by making sauerbraten. Her loving family and dear friends will miss her smile, sense of humor, and laugh, while sharing a beer and catching up. Survivors include son Jim (Teri Nachreiner) of Spring Green, Rick (Marie) of Roxbury, Dan (Connie Stevens) of Spring Green, Scott (Edie Brandt) of DePere, Jerry of Spring Green, Chris (Stephanie) of Watertown; and 10 grandchildren Jennifer, Katrina, Grace, Alexis, Tess, Kylie, Olivia, Dena, Hunter and Jake. She is also survived by siblings John (Anne) Forseth, Dave (Gail) Forseth, Anita (Ron) Jabs, brothers and sisters in-law Chuck and Bev Ruetten, Fred and Evelyn Peck, Madlyn Frederick, Dorothy McCluskey and Elaine Kurt. Carol was preceded in death by her husband Fred, her parents Harland and Mildred, mother and father-in-law Alma and Joe Ruetten, Patti Forseth, Ronald and Donna Forseth, Joe McCluskey, Paul Frederick, Francis Kurt, Joe and Shirley Ruetten and Gerald Ruetten. A Mass in Memory of Carol will take place at St. John's Catholic Church on Saturday, February 8, 2014 at 11am, with visitation at 10am. A burial in the church cemetery will take place in the spring. Online condolences are available at www.clarymemorialfuneralhome.com. Clary Memorial Funeral Home is assisting family with the arrangements.

Carol Jean Ruetten

October 1, 1935 - January 31, 2014