Viola Jane Reutebuch, 90, formerly of rural Pulaski, was called home to Heaven on Wednesday October 27, 2021. She passed peacefully in her room at Vineyard Inn Assisted Living, Largo Florida, with her daughter Diane by her side.
Viola was born September 26, 1931 in Pulaski to the late Ora Wayne and Theresa Lucina (Weaver) Fitz. Viola's roots run deep in the Pulaski area. She attended all 12 years at the Pulaski school and graduated there in 1949. During high school she was class secretary, member of the Glee Club, sunshine Society, participated in the Junior and Senior plays and was Staff member for the annual Pulaski yearbook "Tippecanoe Ripples".
On April 20, 1950, Viola married her high school sweetheart and love of her life, William Joseph "Joey" Reutebuch, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Pulaski. They enjoyed nearly 65 years together and raised 7 children in the Pulaski area. Joey and Viola built and lived in several different houses in the area. She really enjoyed fishing and "floating down" the Tippecanoe River and looking for mushrooms each spring.
She took great pride in her gardens, home canned produce, berry picking and making the most delicious jams and jellies which she shared with family and friends. At Christmas time she made the best cookies, candy and fudge that she sent to family members and shared with neighbors. She enjoyed sewing and quilting. She liked going to yard and garage sales to acquire scrap material to hand make the most beautiful braided rugs, quilts and comforters which she gave to family and friends.
She was a devout Catholic and relied on her faith to get through the tough times. She was active in the St. Joseph Catholic Church parish. She served on the Parish Council and was a long time member of The Christian Mothers Society. She baked many pies and made many pots of homemade chicken noodle soup that were served during fund raisers, funeral dinners for parish members and luncheons hosted by the Christian Mothers and held in the church basement. She loved to attend the weekly Bingo games held in the church basement. She always looked for certain bingo cards that had "lucky" numbers. She was young at heart and often joked about being around "old" people.
Her greatest pride in life was her family, to whom she dedicated her entire life.
She is survived by daughter Diane (Dennis) Sweeney of Largo, Florida; son Mark (Sandi) Reutebuch of Rapid City, South Dakota; son Steve (Trish) Reutebuch of Mill Creek, Washington; son Timothy (Mary Sue) Reutebuch of Whitewater, Wisconsin; son Eric (Maria) Reutebuch of Jacksons Gap, Alabama; daughter Theresa (John) Sottilare of Grand Junction, Colorado; and daughter-in-law Karin Reutebuch of Bremerton Washington. She is also survived by her sister Margie Weida of rural Pulaski, 8 Grand Children, 6 Great Grand Children and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. She was preceded in death by her husband William Joseph "Joey" Reutebuch, son Brian James Reutebuch, infant brother Danny Lee Fitz and sister Phyllis (Fitz) Saine.
A Funeral Mass will be held at 11 AM EDT, Friday, July 15, 2022 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Pulaski through Frain Mortuary in Winamac.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers, please send gifts in Viola's memory to the Emory ALS Center.
To make an online gift, please visit www.als.emory.edu and click "Make a Gift" (link in yellow box next to Dr. Glass’s picture on right side of webpage) and then specify in honor/memory of Viola Reutebuch. Checks can also be mailed to : Emory ALS Center, c/o Emory University,1762 Clifton Road NE, Suite 1400, Atlanta, GA 30322 Attn: Camille Sears
Online Tributes may be offered at www.frainmortuary.com
Arrangements have been entrusted to Frain Mortuary, Winamac, IN.
