Alex Joseph Ruegnitz 1973-2007
OSIER, RUEGNITZ
Posted By: Volunteer
Date: 11/20/2007 at 20:14:47
Alex Ruegnitz
Alex J. Ruegnitz, 34, of Kansas City, MO, formerly of Waukon, died Friday, October 12, 2007 at his home in Kansas City. Funeral services will be held Thursday, October 18 at 11 a.m. at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Waukon, with Fr. Joseph Schneider and Rev. Msgr. Ed Lechtenberg officiating. Burial will be in Mt. Olivet Cemetery, Waukon. Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 17 at Martin Funeral Home in Waukon, where there will be a 4 p.m. scripture service.
Alex Joseph Ruegnitz was born January 5, 1973 in Muscatine, the son of Roger Allen and Jeanette Marie (Osier) Ruegnitz. In 1979 he moved with his family to Waukon. Alex attended St. Patrick Elementary School and graduated from Waukon High School in 1991 before attending the University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls, where he earned a teaching degree in physical education and health in 1996. Alex taught for several years at St. Patrick School in Waukon. For the past four years he has lived in Kansas City, MO, where he met the love of his life, Jennifer. While in Kansas City, he has worked as a counselor at the Spofford Center for troubled children and most recently at Cabela's outfitters.
During his school days he played basketball, football and golf and he continued to enjoy sports as a fan of the Cowboys and Vikings football teams. At UNI he was active with the spirit squad and spent several years as the Panther mascot. A life-long outdoor lover, Alex enjoyed fishing as well as hunting ducks and deer and was a member of Ducks Unlimited. He loved to spend time with kids and had a true compassion for their well being. His young students fondly referred to him as "Mr. R."
Alex loved holidays and their traditions, especially having family Thanksgiving at his Godparents' home. He also enjoyed Halloween, when he would dress in costume to entertain his students and greet trick-or-treaters at his home; and the 4th of July, which he wished could go on for longer. He was a history buff and had developed a deep interest in the events of WW I. Alex will be remembered for his good sense of humor and quick wit. During the past several years he had developed a special relationship with God and he knew who he belonged to.
Survivors include his parents, Roger and Jeanette Ruegnitz, and his brother, Dana Ruegnitz, all of Waukon; his fiancee', Jennifer Smith of Kansas City, MO; and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins. He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Ransom and Alvina Ruegnitz and Gilbert and Bethel Osier.
Honorary casketbearers are Jess Bernhard, Jeremy Frieden, Joseph "Slappy" Reysack and Dana Mahoney. Casketbearers are Tom Christensen, Larry Schellhammer, Craig and Chad Ruegnitz, and Christopher and Russell Osier.
The Waukon Standard, October 16, 2007
Allamakee Obituaries maintained by Sharyl Ferrall.
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