Rutka Sr., Kenneth J. “Moe”

Age 68, of Hayward, WI and formerly a resident of Chicago, IL passed away on Sunday, September 16, 2018 at his home.

Kenneth Joseph Rutka was born September 20, 1949 in Chicago, IL the son of Stanley and Stella (Weinert) Rutka. He attended St. Camillus Catholic School and then Kennedy High School in Chicago. Ken graduated from Kennedy High School in 1967. On September 17, 1969 he was drafted into the U.S. Army for two years during which he served a one year tour as a convoy gunner in the Central Highlands of Vietnam. After his honorable discharge from active duty he returned to Chicago, served in the Army reserves for 8 years and drove truck for Sears delivering furniture. Ken served as a volunteer fireman until he joined the Chicago Fire Department in 1980 and served on Truck 29. He served as a fireman until the mid-1990’s when he was medically retired due to injuries received while on the job. After his retirement, Ken moved to Hayward, WI where he had been visiting and vacationing since his childhood. He made his cabin on Lower Twin Lake his permanent home with Candy, his black lab dog. Ken worked as a fishing guide for a resort on Spider Lake and volunteered grooming snowmobile trails. He enjoyed deer hunting, snowmobiling, fishing for bass and walleye, and hanging out with his friends at Hayward Power Sports. Most of all, he loved his friends and family and being able to spend time with them. Ken was a social butterfly that could strike up a conversation with anyone and had friends all over the country.

Ken is survived by his two sons, Philip Rutka of Schaumburg, IL, Kenneth Rutka Jr. of Carlisle, PA; one granddaughter, Jocelyn A. Rutka; one brother, Leonard (Ruth) Rutka of Cicero, IL; three nephews and one niece.

He was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters, Loretta Rutka and Geraldine Pikul; and one nephew, Christopher Rutka.

A gathering of family and friends will be held form 2:00 to 6:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 22, at the Hayward Funeral Home. A memorial service with a time of sharing will be held at 6:00 p.m. on Saturday at the funeral home. Interment will be in the Greenwood Cemetery in Hayward at 2:00 p.m. with Pastor Gary Hilgendorf officiating. Military Honors will be accorded by the State of Wisconsin Funeral Military Honors Program.

Online condolences may be left at www.bratleynelsonchapels.com.