Slinger, Wi – Charles “Chuck” “Bull” Ruetten, 67 of Slinger, went to fight fire in the sky, March 25, 2025 after a brief fight with cancer.
He was born on April 25, 1956, to the late Thomas and Marion Ruetten in Reedsburg, WI. Chuck attended St. Peter Church and School in Slinger and later graduated from Slinger High School. He went on to get his Associate of Applied Science Fire Science degree in June of 2014.
On August 27, 1994, he was united in marriage to Janice Zuchowski at the Slinger Fire Station Slinger, WI and then on February 19, 2005 had the marriage blessed at St. Peter Catholic Church in Slinger, WI.
Chuck was a dedicated volunteer for over 25 years for Slinger Fire department from 1985 till his retirement in 2012. Throughout his years of service at Slinger fire department, he held many roles, fire fighter, lieutenant, captain, Fire Inspector, Assistant Chief and ultimately was elected as our Fire Chief in 2007.
Chuck owned and operated the Slinger Dairy Queen for 17 years. He always talked about how much he loved his employees and enjoyed the customer interaction.
After selling the Dairy Queen in 1999 he was hired by the Jackson Fire department as a Fire & Police Service Assistant and held several positions until he retired as Fire Marshal in 2020. He always said he had the best of both worlds volunteering for Slinger Fire department while working at Jackson Fire department.
Chuck was deeply passionate about fire education and was heavily involved in training, ensuring that both the departments and the communities were prepared and educated in fire safety. He inspired countless members of both departments, paving a path for them to follow in his footsteps. His leadership, wisdom, and unwavering commitment to the safety will never be forgotten. He was a true pillar of strength, guidance, and dedication for all who worked alongside him.
While fighting fires and fire prevention was his passion after retirement, he and Janice traveled extensively taking weeklong road trips all over the US many inspired by the shows they watch.
Chuck will be sorely missed by those who loved him, but we take solace in the fact that he has gone to a better place and not suffering anymore.
Those Chuck leaves behind to cherish his memory include his loving wife, Janice Ruetten; sister-in-law, Cyndi Ruetten; brother-in-law Mark Norlander; nieces, nephews; other relatives and many, many friends.
In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his brother, Tom Ruetten, sister Sharon Norlander, brother Richard Ruetten and many friends.
The family would like to thank the staff at Froedtert West Bend Hospital ICU for the exceptional care and attention they provided to Chuck
A special thank you to the numerous friends and family who supported Chuck during his journey, Slinger Fire Department and Jackson Fire Department.
Come and hoist a shot to celebrate his life at Phillip Funeral Home (1420 W Paradise Dr. West Bend, WI 53095) on Sunday, April 13, 2025 from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. A Bell Service and Fireman Walk Thru will be at 3 p.m.
A private family interment will be held at New St. Peter Cemetery at a later date.
March 26, 2025 – Jackson, WI – The Jackson Fire Department is mourning the loss of retired fire marshal Chuck Ruetten who passed away Tuesday, March 25, 2025.
Ruetten spent 35 years between the Jackson and Slinger Fire Departments. He retired in May 2020. Ruetten started with the Slinger FD in January 1985, achieving the rank of acting fire chief before he retired January 10, 2012.
While in Slinger, Ruetten was active in training new recruits, the inspection bureau and he was very successful with the educational aspect of fire department open houses.
Ruetten started his full-time career in Jackson in May of 1999. For 13 years he protected and educated two communities, Slinger and Jackson.
Through the years in Jackson, Ruetten developed an incredible program educating the public on fire prevention and keeping his community safe.
Services will be posted as soon as information becomes available.
Below is a tribute written to Ruetten by the Jackson FD upon his retirement.
Chuck raises over $3000 annually from donations from local businesses used for public educations materials in the schools. During Fire Prevention Month Open House, he attracts over 1000 people in two hours, focusing on new programs, public demonstrations, and his all-famous skit being the main focus.
(Which can be found on You Tube) While in Jackson, Chuck instituted several programs such as the Free Pizza if they had a working smoke detector, Ride Home in Fire Truck as a reward for school kids, Birthday Party in Station, Engine to Block Parties, program for funding in cooperation with Culvers, and Smoke Detector and Residential key box installations.
So not only did he institute these programs, but he actively participates in them adding to their success. Some of his other duties include radio talk show with local stations discussing Fire Safety and Prevention, inspects over 700 businesses, and runs Fire and EMS emergency calls.
There is not a person in his community that does not know Chuck.
He walks into a business, or a house and people moods change to happiness. He really brings out the best in everyone. Chuck has taken a proactive approach in the schools and churches when it came to enforce the 20% rules and Christmas Trees codes.
Chuck was tasked with the first beta testing, in Wisconsin, for the Image Trend Inspection Elite. Chuck has been a dedicated member of the Wisconsin Fire Inspectors Association for approximately 30 years and for Seven years running holds the position of Secretary for the Area 6.
Chucks meeting attendance record shows his dedication to this organization. Chuck’s passion for Public Education shows in the interest he has for the work. He truly wanted to reduce home fires and keep the community safe. Public Education is often viewed as a chore for line firefighters and often not the most fun thing to do. He did not see it that way, he takes pride in his work and is always looking for the next best way to educate the citizens and business owners. He continues to investigate the need for new codes and makes the State of Wisconsin a Safer place. Over the years Chuck has done many things for the Fire Service behind the scenes. He makes it his mission to not only recruit but make new firefighters a successful asset in their department and community. He has served as mentor to a plethora of individuals throughout the years, giving many hours of time and energy. Although he has been a part of every step in the Village of Jackson, he will be most recognizing as Firefighter Chuck to every kid in the surrounding area. His educator of the year award in 2017 says it all.
His dedication cannot be measured in one’s success as a Firefighter but be acknowledge as an achievement. I believe that his track record over the years should be recognize as a great achievement. We acknowledge his 21 years of service at the Jackson Fire Department as well as his 35 years in total.
Congratulation Chuck on your well-deserved retirement.
