Gerald "Gary" Ruge
October 18, 2011

Gerald D. "Gary"Ruge, 75, De Pere, passed away Friday, March 4, 2011, in Fort Walton Beach, FL. He was born on January 7, 1936 in Des Moines, Iowa to the late William and Minnie (Kelly) Ruge. After graduating from Pembine High School, Gary married Margaret Zacharek on Sept. 11, 1954 in Dunbar, WI. He attended UW-Whitewater where he graduated in 1958. He later earned his Master’s degree from UW-Superior in 1968. He taught school and coached at Park Falls, Monroe and Green Bay, and taught summer sessions at UW-Superior. He coached football, basketball, track, golf, baseball and tennis, and was the assistant coach of the 1965 Monroe State Basketball Championship team before there were classes. Gary also did scouting reports for coaches at UW-Whitewater. He was well-respected by students, athletes and staff. In 1968, he started the first classroom computer program in the Green Bay Public Schools. It was the first one in the state and Gary was asked to give numerous presentations throughout the country. Gary also worked part-time at The Woods (formerly Woodside) for many years while teaching and during the early years of his retirement. Gary married Constance Kay �..."Connie” Smith on July 24, 2004 in Green Bay.
Gary was a member of the Wisconsin, North Central and National Business Education Associations. He was past president of the Wisconsin and North Central Business Education Associations. He was on the Administrative Board of the National Business Education Association and received the North Central Business Education Association �..."Distinguished Service” award in 1981 and Wisconsin Business Education Association "Outstanding Business Educator" award in 1988. He was a member of the Wisconsin Coaches Association for many years. He was a member of Bethany United Methodist Church, where he served as an usher, treasurer, board trustee and lay representative to the Wisconsin Methodist Annual Conference. Gary was an avid golfer, bowler, Packers fan, Badgers fan as well as a faithful Chicago Cubs fan for his entire life.
Survivors include his wife, Connie; his four children: Debra Frauenfelder, East Troy, and Michael (Bridget) Ruge, Steven (Olga) Ruge, and Gary Ruge, Jr., all of Green Bay; three granddaughters: Rebecca Ruge, Jessica (Wesley) Hanson, and Alycia Ruge, all of Green Bay; one brother: Richard (Rita) Ruge, Merrill, WI; one niece and four nephews: Barb (Ken) Seidel, Green Bay, Ben (Karen) Whicker, Green Bay, Dennis (Melissa) Ruge, Merrill, WI, David (Lisa) Ruge, Madison, WI and Dan Ruge, Madison; Connie’s siblings and their spouses; other nieces, nephews, relatives and many friends.
In addition to his parents, Gary was preceded in death by his first wife, Margaret, on March 13, 2004; one sister, Beulah Whicker St. Michael; and one brother-in-law, Harold Whicker.
Visitation will take place from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Friday, March 11, 2011 at Lyndahl Funeral Home. Visitation will continue from 10:00 a.m. on Saturday at Bethany United Methodist Church, 1110 Echo Lane, Ashwaubenon, until funeral services take place at 11:00 a.m. The Revs. Randell Richter and Jill Connery will officiate. Interment will take place in Woodlawn Cemetery.
A memorial fund has been established.

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