Jack & Ruth Reis

A celebration of Jack and Ruth’s lives will be held on Saturday, June 28, 2025 at the home of their daughter Jill Bretzman. Please RSVP below on the Myrhum-Patten Funeral & Cremation Service website if you can attend and more details (such as the time of service) will follow. You may click on the 'Service' tab above, and you will find the RSVP button.

Jack R. Reis, 81, of West Bend, was reunited in heaven with his beloved wife Ruth Reis on January 18, 2025.

Jack was born on February 7, 1943, the son of the late Roy and Genevieve (nee Schroeder) Reis. On May 18, 1973, he was united in marriage to Ruth Knoebel in West Bend. Ruth preceded Jack in death on December 1, 2024. 

Jack enlisted in the Army in 1967 and proudly served his country during the Vietnam War being stationed in South Korea. After his honorable discharge from the Army in 1973, Jack joined the Army National Guard, retiring after 20 years of National Guard service with the rank of Sergeant First Class (SFC). He loved his country and was proud to serve. Jack was well deserving to participate in an Honor Flight held November 5, 2022. He was touched by the outpouring of gratitude and support expressed by the crowds celebrating the veterans on the trip. Whenever someone thanked him for service, his immediate response was always “Thank you for your support”. 

Jack was an avid outdoorsman. He was an involved member of the Great Lakes Sport Fisherman Club - Ozaukee Chapter, and he and Ruth spent many a day out on Lake Michigan in their boat catching many award winning fish. He was a patient fisherman, teaching his son-in-law and grandchildren all the secret tricks. Jack enjoyed hunting all manner of game but a father/son trip to Wyoming resulting in “Chester” the mule deer was especially memorable. 

Yearly vacations to a cabin on Meta Lake in Eagle River with extended family were always fun; boating, fishing, and playing cards. Jack enjoyed visiting casinos around the state with wife Ruth, two special vacations to Jamaica, and a bucket-list Alaskan cruise in June 2023. 

Jack had a special fondness for the Jackson Historical Society, caring for the grounds there, and investigating his family genealogy, leading him to connect with a relative in Austria, Volker Reis with whom he maintained close contact. 

Jack’s smile, laugh, and colorful stories will be missed by all who knew him. He will be missed dearly. 

Those Jack leaves behind to cherish his memory include a son, Robert (Kim) Reis; two daughters, Jill (Floyd) Bretzman, and former son-in-law, Joe Nethen Jr., Jenny (John) Watry; his grandchildren, Mitchell (Mary), Keaton (Maria), Hailey, Alissa (Christopher), Connor (Claire), Sawyer, Evan (Elena), Case (Orlee), and Adam (Emma); great-grandchildren; a brother, Jon (Carol) Reis; four sisters-in-law, Mary Spaeth, Kay (Harry) Chesak, Joan (Marcel) Lindert, Carol Reis; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. 

In addition to his wife and parents, Jack was preceded in death by his brothers, Gene Reis and Paul Reis; a brother-in-law, Tony Spaeth; and nephews, Michael Spaeth and Thomas Chesak.

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Ruth A. Reis, 76, of West Bend, was reunited with her beloved parents in Heaven on December 1, 2024.  

Ruth was born on August 27, 1948, in West Bend, the daughter of the late Ward and Jane (nee Kluever) Knoebel. On May 18, 1973, she was united in marriage to Jack Reis in West Bend.  

Ruth loved her husband, children, and grandchildren deeply and found immense joy in swimming with her grandchildren at their condo, often playing the game of "shark" with them. Trips up north to Little St. Germain and Eagle River were among her favorite getaways. Jack and Ruth loved to go fishing together on their boat off the shores of Port Washington on Lake Michigan. She was a member of the Great Lakes Sport Fishermen Club – Ozaukee Chapter; twice winning the award for “Fisherwoman of the Year”. She had a fondness for slot machines and loved visiting casinos. Her infectious laugh and love for conversation made her a delight to be around. Thoughtful and caring, her laughter will be deeply missed by everyone. She always brought joy to parties, making everyone laugh. Despite her long battle with health issues, she was a true fighter and is now at peace. She was so much stronger than she realized.  

Ruth was so loved and is dearly missed. Her absence will be felt always and profoundly.  

Those Ruth leaves behind to cherish her memory include her husband, Jack; two daughters, Jill (Floyd) Bretzman, and former son-in-law, Joe Nethen Jr., Jenny (John) Watry; a step-son, Robert (Kim) Reis; her grandchildren, Connor (Claire), Sawyer, Evan (Elena), Case (Orlee), Mitchell (Mary), Keaton (Maria), Hailey, Alissa (Christopher), and Adam (Emma); great-grandchildren; three sisters, Mary Spaeth, Kay (Harry) Chesak, and Joan (Marcel) Lindert; a brother-in-law, Jon (Carol) Reis; a sister-in-law, Carol Reis; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends; of special note her close friend Maggie who was always there for her when needed.  

In addition to her parents, Ruth was preceded in death by her brothers-in-law, Tony Spaeth, Gene Reis, and Paul Reis; and nephews, Michael Spaeth and Thomas Chesak.

The Myrhum-Patten Funeral & Cremation Service has been entrusted with Ruth's and Jack's arrangements.