Dale Theadore Rutz

Kenai resident Dale Theadore Rutz died after a year-long illness on Sunday, Nov. 4, 2007 at his winter residence in Apache Junction, Ariz. He was 69.

No services will be held per Mr. Rutz's request.

Mr. Rutz was born Jan. 2, 1938, to Theadore and Loraine (Awe) Rutz in Milwaukee, Wis. He worked in construction as a heavy equipment operator for 32 years and was a member of Operating Engineers Local 139 of Wisconsin. Mr. Rutz also was a Wisconsin farmer for 17 years. He served in the Marine Corps in the early 1950s and was proud to have served his country.

Mr. Rutz was an avid hunter and fisherman, and truly loved the outdoors. He had a very special love for the wilderness and beauty of Alaska. He will be remembered for his love of games, singing and telling jokes. He will truly be missed by everyone who knew him.

Mr. Rutz was preceded in death by his parents, and step-son Dennis Lee Richardson.

He is survived by his wife of 35 years, Mary Jane (Mikyska) Rutz; brother, Gerald Rutz and his wife, Jan, of Phoenix; daughters Denise Upton and her husband, Bob, of Bancroft, Wis., Deborah Allen and her husband, Tom, of Wautoma, Wis., and Donna Berry and her husband, Brian, of Bancroft; son, David Rutz and his wife, Karen, of Amherst, Wis.; step-daughters Cathy Smith and her husband, Delvin, of Medford, Wis., and Deborah Kallenbach and her husband, David, of Medford; step-son Larry Richardson of Weyerhaeuser, Wis.; 18 grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, donations for senior Christmas baskets may be made to the American Legion Auxiliary, 902 Cook Ave., Kenai, AK 99611.