Service Details
Family and friends are invited to meet in the chapel at Siena Center (5635 Erie Street) on Saturday, July 22, 2023, for a visitation from 10:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
A prayer service will follow at 12:30 p.m.
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RACINE – Keith Joseph Ruelle, 79, of Racine died Wednesday July 12, 2023 after a short but hard-fought battle with a rare form of blood cancer.
Born on June 12, 1944 in Kenosha, WI, Keith was the son of Earl and Ottilia Ruelle (nee Gedemer).
Keith graduated from St. Catherine’s High School in Racine, WI in 1962. He worked in the factory at Styberg Engineering to put himself through college. Keith graduated from Dominican College in 1967 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music Education. In 1972, Keith earned his Master’s Degree in Music Education from VanderCook School of Music in Chicago, IL.
Keith spent his 46 year teaching career as the band and choir director at St. Catherine’s High School. He served as Dean of Students for over 15 years, directed the pit orchestra for the annual Spring musical for over 50 years, conducted jazz, pep, and concert bands, and directed countless choirs. Additionally, he took the select singing group Angel Arrangement to perform at over 30 events each holiday season. He coached both freshman and JV football for over 30 years. He also coached both JV and Varsity softball teams, winning the state title in 1993 and receiving coach of the year honors. After retiring in 2013, Keith was invited back to teach choir part time and coach varsity softball. He retired for good in 2019. Throughout his years at St. Catherine’s, Keith built lasting relationships with his students and their families that continued until his passing. Keith had many colleagues at St. Cat’s who became lifelong friends.
Keith enjoyed watching sporting events both live and on TV. He liked to go to minor league baseball games with his family and spent countless hours scouting the opposition when he worked as a coach. Keith was also an avid supporter of live music. He loved to attend military band concerts as well as drum corps competitions. He had his own big band and was a proud member of the “JR’s 4” wedding and dance band. He also participated in the Racine Park Board Band, and played with the UW-Parkside Community Band. In his 50’s, Keith started to attend Band Camp for Adult Musicians in Pennsylvania each year with his brother Don, where they spent a week in the dorms and ate in the cafeteria! Keith enjoyed directing the St. Richard’s church choir for over 20 years, cultivating friendships through song. He also directed the St. Catherine’s Alumni Choir joining generations of musicians together. Above all, he loved to attend any and all events in which his grandchildren participated. He was a constant and reliable presence always showing his support in their endeavors.
Keith is survived by his wife of 56 years, Judy (nee Johnson), daughters Jeanne-“JT” (Tim) Kocha, Julie (Brian) Vodicka, grandchildren Becky (Ryder) Kent, Jack Kocha, Abigail Vodicka, and Emma Vodicka. He is further survived by sisters-in-law Judy Ruelle, Kathleen Hicks, Barbara (Danny) DeFaut, and Karen (Willie) Johnson and brothers-in-law Wally (Eleanor) Johnson, Gary (Kathy) Johnson, Kenny Johnson, and many nieces, nephews, and friends.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Donald J. Ruelle, and sister Mary Jean Anderson and her husband Bill, in-laws Walter and Joan (nee Pfeiffer) Johnson, brothers-in-law Dean Hicks, Allen Johnson, and Gene Allen Johnson, and niece Shannon Johnson.
The family would like to thank neighbors Jim, Perry, and Jerry and Michelle for their continuous support and friendship and all they’ve done to help Keith and Judy throughout all of Keith’s health challenges.
The family would also like to thank Dr. Edward J. Quebbeman, Dr. Kathleen Christians, Dr. James A. Roth, and Dr. Kia Saeian of Froedtert Hospital for the successful Whipple surgery and subsequent care that gave us an extra 17 years with Keith. We would also like to thank Dr. William Litchy (Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN) for not giving up on Keith’s neurological mysteries. Thanks to Dr. Mark Choi for his thoughtfulness and guidance during this recent illness. We are especially grateful to Dr. Robert Gullberg for his kindness, sense of humor, compassion, and friendship over the course of 30 years of dedication to Keith’s health.
In honor of Keith, please support live music, spend time with family and friends, and share a laugh with a friend! In lieu of flowers, memorials can be directed to the Racine Dominican Mission Outreach (5635 Erie St. Racine, WI 53402) or the Ronald McDonald House (8948 Watertown Plank Rd. Milwaukee, WI 53226).
Family and friends are invited to meet in the chapel at Siena Center (5635 Erie Street) on Saturday, July 22, 2023, for a visitation from 10:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. A prayer service will follow at 12:30 p.m.
Donna Nielsen says
Keep making your music up there.
Tom and Therese Anders en says
We were so sorry to hear of the passing of Keith. I have so many memories of him from choir and all of the musicals that he direct ed. I will cherish these memories forever. Our condolences to Judy, Jeanne, Julie and families.
Tammie Sessa Radspinner says
I have known Keith since 1974, my freshman year at SCHS. Will always remember his smile whenever I brought him his favorite nut bar dessert from the bakery. I always had his support in later years as a Secretary and Pom Coach at SCHS. He represented the heart and soul of St, Catherine’s. Rest in Peace Mr. Ruelle, you earned it.
Michael Prudhom says
Thank you for putting music in my life and soul.
Ned Murphy says
Remembering Keith’s sense of humor from our Knapp School athletic Saturdays. God Bless!
Raymond Fay says
His 1st year at St. Catherine’s was my freshman year. I had him for 4 years in the band, the pep band and the pit band (for the annual musicals). He was a great teacher and and a great person every time I ran into him over the years. My prayers will go out to Judy and their daughters.
Barbara Taylor Christiansen says
Mr. Ruelle is a treasure. I had him for choir all 4 years at St. Cat’s. I remember his great sense of humor, and dedication to his students, and Racine community. He fought an illness, and prevailed!
Mr. Ruelle’s band played at our wedding reception. Thank you for your music, and dedication to our community. You are missed already.
Marilyn & David Lauer says
Our condolences at Keith’s passing go out to all of his family members. Our lasting memory of Keith is his presence at Mass at Siena Center Chapel whenever JT played the grand piano on Sundays. As a music teacher, he touched thousands of lives in his career, exposing them to the joy of music in their lives. May his spirit continue to find joy in making music.
Mary and Pete Schutz says
You will be missed by so many Keith. Thank you for teaching at St. Richard’s Choir, and sharing your talent. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Judy, Jeanne, and Julie and their families.
Sarah Leifheit says
I was in band all four years at St. Catherines. He was a great teacher, great band leader and great man. He will be missed.
Jen Peralta says
Choir and Angel Arrangement all four years at St. Cat’s with Mr. Ruelle are my most treasured high school memories. He helped me discover that I had a talent in singing and it gave me so much confidence and joy performing for his choirs. I will never forget him. Sending prayers and love to his family.
David and Barbara Rudin says
Judy, So sorry to hear of Keiths passing. He was a great guy. Take care of yourself. We do live in Madison now. Dave & Barb Rudin
Barb Kovats Tuttle (DC '67 classmate) says
I was so sorry to hear of Keith’s passing. I know he beat cancer a number of years ago, but this time I guess it was just too much to overcome. I have posted the link to his obituary on our Dominican College Class of ’67 Facebook group and also on the general DC alumni/faculty Facebook group. I wish I lived closer so I could attend Keith’s service (I live in Florida), but I, and all of his classmates, will be thinking of him on July 22nd. A very good man, gone too soon.
Jenni "Mandli" Koenen (SCHS class of 2001) says
I had the privilege of knowing both “Coach Ruelle” on SCHS Varsity Softball team (’99-’01) and “Mr. Ruelle” through Angel Arrangement. He was the type of person where it took me a minute to figure out if he was really angry or disappointed about something, or if it was just a put on/sarcasm. 9 times out of 10, I would catch that small smirk or twinkle in his eyes and realize he wasn’t and smile. I never wanted to disappoint Coach Ruelle on the field and always strived to do better. When he used to kid me about the bat I used senior year that it was too short, I set out to prove him wrong and proceeded to hit a triple with it. When I slid in to 3rd base I looked up at him and he said “If your bat was longer you would have hit it over the fence.” (LOL) I still think of him with a smile while singing in church choir when a chord or note sounds out of tune and remember the scrunched up annoyed face he would make in Angel Arrangement when something didn’t sound quite right. His choir room was my favorite place to be in HS whether it was choir class or morning Angel Arrangement STEP. He let us goof around with the musical instruments and jam/sing together while he was taking care of other things and those are the memories I treasure the most from high school. He was truly a great educator, memorable coach, and wonderful human being. My sincere condolences to Judy, JT, and Julie and family.
Sandy &Don Baumstark says
Our condolences go out to you Judy and the family.
Dr. LaDonna Pickett(Hadley class of 03) says
Thank you for making a safe space for me in High School. You were the best Band instructor and Softball coach that I have ever had. I know you are blessing them with your music! My condolences to family.
Dom & Arlene LoPiccolo says
So sorry for your loss. You are all in our prayers
Pam Buckta (Nagy) says
He was the best music teacher. Was in band, choir, and pit band. Would always write encouraging notes on the sheet music. Loved all 4 years in music
Pam Buckta (Nagy) says
He was the best music teacher. Had him all 4 yrs at St Catherine’s. Always was encouraging and made you feel important. Was in choir, band an pit band
Elaine (Grubber) Onoyan SCHS '83 says
Mr. Ruelle was one of my favorite teachers. He was talented, fun, and a terrific mentor. More importantly, he was a warm, kind man. He will be missed fondly by many, myself included.
Jenni (Wehinger) Matera SCHS 1976 says
My prayers are with you in this difficult time. Mr. Ruelle always had a way to make everyone feel like a star. His “oldies” band played at my wedding reception in 1981. He will be missed.
Jack's Promega IVD Ops Team says
From all of us at Promega that work with and know Mr. Ruelle’s grandson Jack Kocha, we want to share our kind thoughts and prayers with your family and friends of Mr. Ruelle at this difficult time. You’ve written a loving dedication about Grandpa Ruelle and we will most certainly be sure to share good times and laughs with Jack when we see him again.
Dan and Amy Thielen says
All of our thoughts and prayers to Julie and her family. I had the privilege of being a student in Mr. Ruelle’s 9th grade choir class as well as playing freshman football for him at SCHS. He was a great man who made an impact on everyone he had came in contact with.
Mary Ann McGinn SCHS '69 says
Fond memories of band class at St. Catherine’s. May you rest in peace now and conduct the beautiful music that must take place in heaven.
Victor Moreno says
Please accept my deepest condolences. I’ve known Keith as a teacher, coach, friend and mentor. Mentor. I also remember seeing him in the hospital when he was having a double knee replacement and I was having a hip replacement. We chatted about our ailments. May he rest in peace. Respectfully
Mr. and Mrs. Steven Christman says
Our sincere sympathy to the entire Ruelle Family.
May he rest in eternal peace.
Thinking of you all.
Sincerely,
Lynne (Garski) and Steve Christman family-
Alex Christman
Andrew Christman
Karen (Malonee) Peltier says
My condolences to all of the family. I had the privilege of singing in choir under his direction for one semester and he did a wonderful job. May the Lord comfort all who mourn. Sending prayers.
Mary and Bob Rice says
Yes found out that Keith passed away and Judy I am praying for your peace