Henry T. Rutkowski

Born to Eternal Life on January 13, 2023, at age 96 years. Preceded in death by his beloved wife of over 64 years, Ruth (nee Soczynski) in 2013. Loving father of Judith (Randall) Holterman and dear grandfather of Kathryn, Laura, and Elizabeth. Also preceded in death by his seven siblings and their spouses: Stanley (Helen), Anthony (Ruth), Josephine (Matthew) Wojciechowski, Aloysius (Cecilia), Martha (Albin) Karwoski, Theresa (Chester) Zinda, and Elizabeth Rutkowski. Further survived by nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends. Served in the Army during World War II, stationed in the Philippines. Protected Milwaukee as a police officer for 39 years, from 1950 to 1989. Henry was the second youngest of eight children, and the youngest brother. He started helping to support his mother and several of his sisters at the age of 11 after the death of his father. He delivered newspapers, worked at two local bowling alleys setting pins, and found whatever other ways he could to earn money. For fun, he loved fishing – especially “crabbing” (looking for crayfish). At age 16, Henry started an apprenticeship at Falk Corporation, continuing his education at Boys Tech one day per week and learning to become a machinist the other four. Upon turning 18 in 1944, he was drafted into the army. While he was on a troop transport in the Pacific to prepare for the invasion of Japan, the dropping of the atomic bombs ended the war. In the following months, he served as a machinist, stationed in the Philippines, before returning home. He was honorably discharged on December 13, 1946. After returning to civilian life, Henry met Ruth when she fell down the stairs coming out of a local tavern…just kidding! That was the joke he told. In reality, they met at the Princess Ballroom, a Milwaukee dance hall. Following a courtship that included more dancing, they married on May 28, 1949, and began their lives together. As newlyweds, they lived in the small three-room cottage on the back of Ruth’s parents’ lot on 6th Street. Shortly thereafter, both couples moved to a duplex on Milwaukee’s south side, with Ruth’s parents as the downstairs tenants. A few years later, their daughter, Judith, was born. Professionally, Henry briefly returned to Falk, but decided on a career change and applied to the Milwaukee Police Department, officially joining the force in 1950. He started out walking “the beat” in Milwaukee, getting to know and caring for those on his route. His ability to talk to and get along with everybody made him an effective officer, performing a variety of duties while on the force. He retired in 1989 after 39 years. Henry always had a green thumb and therefore a flourishing garden. He poured his skill into every square inch of his property, from the vegetable garden in the back to beautiful flowers, bushes, shrubs, and trees throughout the yard. He was proud to receive the “Landscape & Garden Award” in 2009 from the Garden District Neighborhood Association and the Airport Gateway Business Association for having a home that “enhanced the appearance of the area with flowers and landscaping.” His knowledge of growing things surpassed that of your average gardener; he knew and used the scientific names of plants and flowers, such as Monarda (bee balm) and Rudbeckia (Black-Eyed Susan), sharing that information with anyone who’d listen. If you stopped by his house, you had to be prepared for a full tour of the yard and description of every plant there! Henry especially loved growing vegetables. Tomatoes were a favorite to grow and to eat, plus he loved a good salad, saying “I love my grass!” He always had plenty of gardening tips, and often suggested, “Take it from an old farmer…” At least one of Henry’s neighbors swears that Henry taught him everything he knows about gardening. Henry’s granddaughter, Katie, picked up her love of gardening from him. Speaking of granddaughters, both Henry and Ruth were devoted and loving grandparents to Katie, Laura, and Betsy. They visited weekly while the girls were growing up, took the family on annual vacations to Wisconsin Dells, and attended every music concert, dance recital, or other special event in the girls’ lives. They were always spoiling the girls at Christmas and at every other opportunity they had. Henry’s generosity extended far beyond his family, with him lending a hand as a handyman, a gardener, a father figure, or a friend. He will be missed immensely by all who knew him. Visitation Monday, Jan. 23 at the FUNERAL HOME from 4:00-6:30 PM with a Vigil Service at 6:30 PM Additional visitation Tuesday, Jan. 24 at St. JOHN PAUL II PARISH ST. ALEXANDER CHURCH (1568 W. Holt Ave) from 9:30-10:00 a.m. followed by the celebration of Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 a.m. Interment St. Adalbert Cemetery with Military Honors.