Carol Jean Ruether

Carol Ruether of Appleton died on Monday, August 4, 2025 at Scandi Haven Village in Benson at the age of 81.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00AM on Friday, August 8, 2025 at  St. John's Catholic Church in Appleton with burial in the Appleton City Cemetery.

Visitation with the family will be held one hour prior to the services at the church on Friday.

Born on Christmas Day in 1943, Carol was the youngest of five children born to Delbert and Mae (Harwick) Bertness. Her small size earned her the endearing nickname “Runty,” a title she wore with a smile. She grew up in Appleton, Minnesota, and graduated from Appleton High School in 1961. She went on to attend the Minnesota School of Business in St. Paul. 

Carol married Wayne Ruether on May 12, 1962. Together, they made their home in Appleton and welcomed four children, Patsy, Jackie, Stacy, and Mike. The home was the center of Carol’s life. She not only cared for her family but she kept busy with card club, bowling league, and various hobbies and crafts. Carol also worked outside the home, spending more than 30 years serving meals to students in the Appleton and Lac qui Parle schools. She is fondly remembered by many for her kind smile in the lunch line.

A devoted member of St. John’s Catholic Church, Carol served as a communion distributor, catechist, and active member of the Rosary Society. Carol also loved to travel. She spent several summers “on the road” following Wayne on his road construction projects. Carol enjoyed bus trips with her sister Deanne, took time to visit her brothers on the east and west coasts, and tagged along with her children to various destinations. This included the infamous yearly shopping trips.

As her children grew and had families of their own, Carol seamlessly shifted into the role of grandma. Nothing brought her more joy than a noisy, bustling house full of family. Two weeks each year, Carol hosted all her grandchildren for “Camp Grandma.” The highlights of which included trips to “coffee” each morning, a living room tent city, and lots of ice cream.

Carol is lovingly remembered by her husband of 63 years, Wayne; four children, Patsy (Lonnie) Berg, Jackie (Paul) Laney, Stacy (Kyle) Gillette, and Mike Ruether; six grandchildren Nick (Jen) Berg, Emily (Chad) Albertson, Thomas (Elizabeth) Laney, Anna (Spenser) Birney, Zack (Shelby) Gillette, and Isaac (Tennesse) Gillette; and seven great-grandchildren, Laney and Matthew Albertson, Charles, Theodore, and Eleanor Laney, and Beauden and Taytum Gillette.

She is reunited in heaven with her parents, Delbert and Mae Bertness; her in-laws, Joe and Josie Ruether; her sisters, Shirley and Deanne; and her brothers, Darrell and Charlie.

Carol will be remembered for her loving spirit, infectious laugh, and the joy she brought to every room she entered. Her life was a gift to all who knew her.