LaVerne Rutenbar

Rutenbar, LaVerne W. "Buck" Saginaw, Michigan LaVerne W. "Buck" Rutenbar, age 90, died after battling cancer on Wednesday, October 21, 2020 with his wife of seventy years, Doris, by his side. Buck was the youngest son of Irvin and Alice (DeLaney) Rutenbar of Livonia and was born on April 23, 1930. He was a graduate of Plymouth High School, Class of 1948 , in Plymouth, Michigan. He married Doris G. Smith on September 2, 1950 at the Church of Nazarene in Caro, Michigan. Buck served two years in the US Army stationed in Germany during the Korean War. Buck and Doris moved from Plymouth to Saginaw in 1969. Buck took a major role in establishing the war memorial in honor of servicemen and women in Saginaw Veterans Memorial Parkway as a member of the VFW Post #1859 and American Legion Post #439, both in Saginaw. He also served in the Exchange Club of Saginaw. Buck loved sports and was an avid bowler and several times came close to a perfect games. He also loved golfing and was golfing up to his 90th birthday. Buck was a talented woodworker in his basement and was always willing to give a helping hand to anyone who needed it. Buck retired in 1987 from Consumers Power Company. Buck leaves behind his loving wife of seventy years, Doris; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law: Betty (Bob) Dennis of Mayville and Lynn (Linda) Smith of Mt. Pleasant; nephews and nieces: Bonnie (Ray) Gee of Ft. Meyers, FL, Dan (Gloria) Dennis of Frankenmuth, Scott (Laura) Dennis of Deford, Kristine (Alfred) Raby of Mayville, Patrick (Shannon) Smith of Mt. Pleasant, Kerri (Dave) Dunton of Lawrenceville, GA, and Jennifer Smith of Swartz Creek. Additionally, he leaves many great and great-great nieces and nephews. Buck was preceded in death by his parents; his mother-in-law and father- in-law: Ward (Viola) Smith; his brothers and sister-in-law: Duane (Pat) Rutenbar, Delbert Rutenbar; and his niece, Heidi Smith. The family wishes to thank the Crestwood Assisted Living Staff and the Heartland Hospice Staff for all the love and caring attention they gave to Buck. FUNERAL: A funeral service will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, October 27, 2020 at the Deisler Funeral Home, 2233 Hemmeter Rd. (off State), Saginaw, MI 48603. Rev. Paul Hinz will officiate. Military honors will follow the funeral service at the funeral home on Tuesday under the auspices of the United States Army and American Legion Post #439. Private burial will take place at West Dayton Cemetery, Mayville. VISITATION: Friends and family are welcome to gather at the funeral home on Monday, October 26, 2020 from 2:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m., and again on Tuesday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service. In Accordance with Health Department guidelines masks will be required, social distancing will be observed and limitations on the number in attendance will be enforced. MEMORIALS: Memorial contributions may be made to Heartland Hospice Service, 1627 W. Broomfield, Mt. Pleasant, MI 48858. The Deisler Funeral Home, 2233 Hemmeter Rd. (off State) is honored to be serving the Rutenbar family. Please share your thoughts and memories with the family at the funeral home or through www.DeislerFuneralHome.com