Stephen Rutta

Stephen R. “Steve” Rutta , age 59 of Madison, passed away at his home, after a long battle with health issues. He was born on November 24,  1962 in Milwaukee, a son of Edward and Bridget “Bea” (Sankey) Rutta.  Steve was raised in the Junction City area and graduated from SPASH in 1981. Stephen graduated from UW Stevens Point with a BS in Chemistry and moved to Madison. While in Madison, he enrolled at Edgewood College where he received a master’s in business administration.  He thrived on learning and consequently attended Madison College where he earned his Medical Lab Technician associate degree.

Stephen was employed as a Senior Chemist at the University of Wisconsin Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory and Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, using his knowledge of chemistry and toxicology to help farmers until his retirement. Steve had a strong sense of civic duty; he was a long time American Red Cross volunteer and poll worker. He built and stocked “Little Free Libraries” and shared his knowledge with others through the “WISE” (Wisconsin Senior Employment) program.

Steve had many hobbies and passions.  He absolutely loved living in Madison, appreciating everything it offered. He was an avid follower of several sports teams, especially the Green Bay Packers, the Wisconsin Badgers, and the Brewers. Trivia was a constant in his life; he began playing in junior high and never missed a year.  A proud member of “Tin Man” for the last 20 plus years; his expertise was classic movies. Most recently he developed a love of woodworking.

Survived by his parents; special friend, Lori Hayes; brother, Jeff Rutta; sisters, Laura (Christopher) Fuller and  Amy (Jeremy) Higgins; his nephews and nieces, Mitchell Fuller, Sam Fuller, Lily Higgins, Carter Higgins and Zoe Higgins; along with numerous other relatives and friends.

Stephen was preceded in death by his grandparents, Ralph & Berniece Sankey and Nicholas & Susan Rutta; Uncles, John Sankey and Jerome Sankey; Aunts, Susan Rutta, Kathy Sankey, and Bridget Sankey.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Peter Catholic Church, 800 4 ^th Ave, Stevens Point at 10:30AM on Wednesday, May 4, 2022 with Rev Arul Joseph Visuvasam officiating.  Burial will be at Guardian Angel Cemetery.  Family and friends are invited to a Visitation at the St. Faustina Room of St. Peter Church from 9:30AM until the time of the Mass on Wednesday.