Joseph B. “Joe” Rueter, 89, of Sauk Centre, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family, Oct. 24, 2024, at the CentraCare-Sauk Centre Hospital in Sauk Centre.
A Mass of Christian Burial was held Oct. 28 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Melrose. Interment was in the parish cemetery.
Joseph Benedict Rueter was born March 15, 1935, in Freeport, Minnesota, to Ben and Eleanore (Hoeschen) Rueter. He graduated from Melrose High School and completed trade school. On Sept. 10, 1960, Joe married Janet “Jan” Toenyes at St. Mary’s Cathedral in St. Cloud. The couple lived in St. Cloud where Joe was a foreman for Conlon Construction. When they moved to Freeport, Joe worked at Hennen Lumber and then owned and operated Rueter’s Bait Shop. In 2008, Joe retired and the couple moved to Sauk Centre.
He was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Melrose, served as chairman of T & L Credit Union in St. Cloud and volunteered many hours for the church.
Joe enjoyed fishing, woodworking, gardening, playing cards, traveling, refurbishing rods and reels and building fish houses.
Survivors include his children, Geri (Karl) Meyer of Melrose, Sharon (Leslie) Rueter of Nebraska, and Carolyn (Mike) Messer of Sauk Centre; grandchildren Megan Droogsma, Christopher Meyer and Kim Johnson and Evan and Owen Messer; great-grandson Theo Droogsma; and sisters Bernadette Ritter and Rosemary Ardoin.
Joe was preceded in death by his wife, Jan Rueter, Jan. 23, 2012; parents; infant daughter Kathleen Rueter; infant son Brian Rueter; and brothers and sisters Rita Blommel, Clarence Rueter, Julius Rueter, Benedict Rueter and Juliana Hollerman.
Arrangements were made with Patton-Schad Funeral and Cremation Services of Melrose.
