Donald Rutlin

Dates

June 5, 1929 - November 10, 2025

Obituary

Donald Rutlin, 96, of Mitchell, SD, passed away Monday, November 10, 2025, at Firesteel Healthcare Center in Mitchell. Per Don’s request, there will be no funeral.

Donald Gilbert Rutlin was born June 5, 1929, to Ingoff and Gladys (Strelow) Rutlin in Wisconsin. Don graduated from Tomah High School and later went onto school to learn computer programming. He worked 30 years for IBM before retiring.

Don was an avid hunter who enjoyed telling stories about his many hunting adventures. For many years, he ran a business in his basement where he set up and fixed many people’s bows and crossbows, through which he made many new friends. He and his brother Ken at one time also started up a cranberry marsh near Tomah, which is still in the Rutlin family (much bigger now) owned by his nephew Kurt Rutlin. Don lived in Brodhead, WI for many years until moving out to Mitchell to call his new home.

Don is survived by his son, Rick Rutlin of Brookfield, WI; daughter, Shari Rutlin of Sun Prairie, WI; brother, Ken (Rena) Rutlin of Wyeville, WI; many nieces and nephews, and close family friends, Louie (Laurie) Cooper & family and Ward (Melanie) Tuttle & family. A very special thank you to the Cooper and the Tuttle family for their many years of friendship and support you gave to Dad... he dearly loved you all!

He was preceded in death by his loving wife, Charlotte, and parents, Gladys and Ingolf.

Posted by Jen Cooper Jurgens on November 18, 2025

I have so many fond memories of Don, the one that stands out the most is when he taught me how to properly maintain his lawn. I was glad I didn't have to use scissors, like he often did. After moving away, there wasn't a time when I stopped home that he didn't stop and say Hi. There were many times he would ask for help with his computer, and a 10-minute task would turn into an hour of chatting. And he always made sure to send snacks back over for all of the grandkids. He wasn’t just a neighbor; he was truly a part of the family. I'm so thankful that I got to see him one last time before he passed away. He will be greatly missed.

Posted by Jeff Munger on November 18, 2025

Great guy lots of stories and a great friend! we built a bow tuning machine together and modified a bow press to do the bows in the future ! He taught me alot about bows! He will be truly missed!!! 🙏 to Don's friends and family!!

Posted by Jeff Munger on November 18, 2025

Posted by Michael Haley on November 17, 2025

Don was a great friend of mine. I purchased many Mathew bows and equipment from Don . He was kind and did everything possible to make your equipment work perfectly and helped with any problems. We had many discussions about hunting and took him pheasant hunting on my property as long as he could physically go with us. He will be greatly missed.

Posted by Delbert n Marie Peterson on November 13, 2025

We were neighbors for afew years in the 90s......Don was such a kind, interesting n friendly neighbor. He n his wife shared wonderful cranberries from time to time. God bless their memory. Nice trophy elk, Don!

Posted by Thad Moody on November 12, 2025

Don set me up with my first Mathews bow many years ago and we shared many good hunting stories in his basement back then. Don was a very kind and caring man. I will always remember Don and will miss him.

Posted by Thad Moody on November 12, 2025

Dom set me up with my first Mathews bow many years ago and we shared many good hunting stories in his basement back then. Don was a very kind and caring man. I will always remember Don and will miss him.

Posted by louis cooper on November 12, 2025

one of the finest , neighbor for 40 years, friends for 40 years, he will be greatly missed,