Sean Ruge

Sean Ruge, age 56, passed away suddenly of natural causes at his home in Champlin, Minn. on Saturday, Aug. 10, 2024.

He was born in West Bend on July 25, 1968, to Robert Ruge and Helen Schultz. He spent most of his growing up years in Wausau, and summers with his father and family in Chicago. He eventually moved to Rhinelander, where he proudly graduated in 1986 as a Hodag. After high school Sean and some close buddies embarked on a journey to Minneapolis, Minn. where he got his start in a longtime career in the medical manufacturing industry. He met and married Christi Henke and they moved to Massachusetts where he continued his profession and started his family. They returned to the Midwest and settled in Wabasha, Minn. to further his career and raise their children, Matt and Hannah. They divorced yet remained friends. Sean met Kelly Lorbetske, changed careers and moved back to Rhinelander where he purchased and ran the Circle K Saloon and Grill for 12 years. He and Kelly married in 2007. Eventually, they sold the bar and moved back to Minnesota where he reentered the medical manufacturing industry. They divorced in 2019, remaining friends.

Sean was an avid golfer. Everywhere he resided he joined a club and a league. He was a sports enthusiast and outwardly loved his Green Bay Packers and Wisconsin Badgers no matter where he was. Sean was so very proud of his children and loved them so. Sean had a bigger-than-life personality. He touched lives and made lifelong friends wherever he went. He had a fun infectious laugh, a wit like no other, and a great sense of humor always making others laugh along with him. And boy could he dance! Sean laughed hard and loved deeply. He will be dearly missed and never forgotten.

Sean is survived by his daughter Hannah (significant other Zeke Moran) Ruge of Bloomington, Minn.; father Robert Ruge; stepmother Kathy Ruge; sister Michelle AKA Mi (Nino) Chavez; brothers Bob Jr. (Anne) Ruge, Michael (Holly) Ruge, all of the Greater Chicago area; brother Christopher Schultz; former wife Christi Henke of Burnsville, Minn. and former wife Kelly (significant other Chris Goland) Lorbetske of Appleton; many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins. Sean is also survived by his forever true friends Kevin (Danelle) Sheils of Anoka, Minn. and Paul (Kristy) White of Tennessee; The Group (you know who you are); and countless other friends. 

He was briefly survived by his stepfather, Michael Schultz of Rhinelander, who just passed away on Aug. 16, 2024.

Sean was preceded in death by his loving mother Helen in 2006 and most recently his heroic son Matthew Ruge in February 2024.  

A Celebration of Sean’s Life will take place at Riversbend Bar and Grill, 14077 St. Francis Blvd, Ramsey, Minn. on September 7 from 2 to 7 p.m. A tribute to honor Sean will be made at approximately 3:30 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations will be made to future memorials in Sean’s name.