Rudolph John Ringelstetter Jr. (Rudy)
PORTAGE - Rudolph John Ringelstetter Jr. (Rudy) passed away on July 26, 2026, at Aspirus Healthcare in Portage WI after a short illness.
Rudy was born on March 18, 1939, in Spring Green WI to Rudolph John Ringelstetter Sr and Susan Irene Acketz Ringelstetter.
He graduated from Spring Green High School in 1957. He married Carol Jo Bauer on April 30, 1960, at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Loreto, WI. They recently celebrated their 66th wedding anniversary. They located in Stevens Point WI where he worked for EZ Gregory. Their daughters, Lisa and Jill, were born in Stevens Point. They relocated to Portage WI where their daughter Sarah was born. Rudy joined the Columbia County Sheriff’s Department as a deputy sheriff in 1968. He retired from the Sheriff’s Department in 1994 after 25 years as a detective for child abuse and welfare fraud. He stayed busy after his retirement working many part time jobs including maintenance/custodial work at Portage High School and St Mary of the Immaculate Conception church. Rudy was a quiet unassuming man who worked hard all his life.
Rudy is survived by his wife Carol, daughters, Lisa (Mike) Clemmons, Portage WI, Jill (Mario) Reeve, Waunakee WI and Sarah, Portage WI. He is also survived by his four grandsons, Michael Clemmons, Fitchburg WI, Samuel Clemmons (Connor Hagarty), Portage WI, Joseph Clemmons, Hobart WI and Technical Sergeant John R. Clemmons, Dayton OH. He is also survived by a brother Garry (Karrie) Ringelstetter and a sister-in-law, Maxine Bauer.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his in-laws, Tony & Stella Bauer, sister Louise, brother Robert (Bob), brothers in law, Robert (Bob) Bauer and Allyn Bauer.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, August 3, 2026, at St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, with Fr. Randy Timmerman presiding. Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. on Monday at the church. Inurnment to follow Mass at St. Mary Cemetery in Portage.
Pflanz Mendrala Funeral Home in Portage is assisting the family.
