Drew M. Rutz

Drew M. Rutz, age 74, of Port Washington, Wis., died peacefully surrounded by family on June 7, 2023, in Grafton, Wis.

He was born Aug. 9, 1948, in Chicago, Ill., to Martin A. and Dorothy C. (nee Turek) Rutz.

He graduated from Palatine High School in 1966 and Dominican (aka Rosary College) University with a bachelor of arts degree in organ.

On June 9, 1972, Drew married his best friend Catherine (Katie) Krickl in Oak Park, Ill.

He subsequently completed a master of music and liturgy degree with a major in organ at the University of Notre Dame and studied Ph.D. musicology at North Texas State.  He also earned choir master and fellow certificates from the American Guild of Organists.

  Drew devoted his career as a church musician, liturgist and educator for more than 50 years to developing each parish’s and student’s musical growth to its fullest. He served at parishes in Chicago, Ill.; Ponca City, Okla.; Kennewick and Seattle, Wash.; Milwaukee, Wis. (St. Therese); and Port Washington, Wis., with over 20 years at St. Mary’s Catholic Church (now St. John XXIII) and Grand Avenue Methodist Church.

He founded, directed and performed in numerous vocal and instrumental ensembles in each position, including many children’s choirs (at one time the only parish-based boy choir in the state) and several early music ensembles.

Additionally, he taught private lessons on many instruments and served as accompanist for Solo & Ensemble and many other events.

One of his proudest accomplishments was to initiate and assist in designing the Berghaus organ at St. Mary’s in Port Washington and performing on it for many years.

Beyond performance and education, he routinely composed music for his parishes and ensembles and has been published by GIA, Inc.

  Beyond his professional pursuits, Drew enjoyed time with family, reading, stamp collecting, attending the Renaissance Faire and studying a wide range of interests including Hebrew, Greek and Indigenous cultures, and was widely known for his love of chocolate, his ever-present cross and sandals and telling bad jokes.

  Drew is survived by his loving wife Katie; son Daniel (Janell) of Madison, Wis.; grandchildren Liam and Cora; siblings Susan, Craig (Leann), Glenn (Grace), Kurt (the late Shannon), Dean (Karen Ducey) Rutz and Gulfam (Anila) Emmanuel; and aunt Dorothy K. Rutz; and is further survived by in-laws (father) Joseph L. Krickl, (siblings) Paul (Donna) Krickl, Ray (Nancy) Krickl, Tom (Amy) (the late Cathy Magill) Krickl, John (Nancy) Krickl, and Mary (Tim) Flanagan, Ralph Waite, many loving nieces and nephews and extended family members and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents Martin and Dorothy, sister Penny Rutz Waite, Krickl in-laws (mother) Catherine, and brothers Joe and David (the late Celeste).

  A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 1 p.m. on Saturday, June 24, at St. John XXIII Catholic Parish, St. Mary’s Church, in Port Washington, Wis., with Father Tom Lijewski presiding.  Visitation will precede the Mass from 11 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. at the church.

Inurnment will take place at St. Mary’s Cemetery (new) in Port Washington.

Please note the conductor (Drew) has dispensed with concert black dress for the occasion and requests you celebrate in bright colors.

  In lieu of flowers, memorials to Drew’s legacy are encouraged.

  The family wishes to extend our sincere thanks to all the caregivers at Aurora Medical Center Grafton and Newcastle Place for the wonderful care and support they provided to Drew and his family.

Eernisse Funeral Home, Port Washington, is honored to serve the Rutz family.

Online condolences may be left at www.eernissefuneralhome.com.