December 1, 2025 – West Bend, Wi – In 1997 attempts to close off Big Cedar Lake to the public motivated West Bend resident Jim Rubenzer to form TUFLA, Taxpayers United For Lake Access.
By shining a light on the situation TUFLA was able to ensure continued public access to Big Cedar Lake, Bark Lake, Pike Lake and Silver Lake.
Rick Graskey (owner of Kettle Moraine Guide Service, WB) said “We have lake access today because of Jim Rubenzer.”
Jim Rubenzer passed away November 19, 2025.
November 24, 2025 – West Bend, WI – James R. Rubenzer, 98, of West Bend, Wi, passed away on November 19, 2025, at his home in West Bend.
He was born on September 15, 1927, in Tilden, WI to the late Edward and Bertha (nee Bowe) Rubenzer.
James married Priscilla S. Pontius on July 2, 1955, in West Lafayette, IN. Priscilla predeceased February 4, 2023.
He is survived by their six children, Dr. Steven Rubenzer of Orem, UT, Sallie Rubenzer, Daniel (Sheila) Rubenzer, Rex Rubenzer, all of West Bend, Nancy Rubenzer of Ponte Vedra, FL and Sam Rubenzer of Tampa, FL; and grandchildren Zachery, Kaelin, Ashley, Alex, Kasey, Danni, Cody and Trey.
Rubenzer served in the United States Army’s 9th Infantry Division in Germany between 1945 and 1947. He was a graduate of Spencerian College in Milwaukee, then joined Amity Leather Company, where he served as Advertising Manager.
Following his long service at Amity, he started his own consumer products business, then joined his son, Rex, in developing Caricatures by Rex, a prominent Wisconsin art and entertainment business.
He served on the West Bend School Board in the late 1960’s and championed the creation of the twin high schools.
During the 1990’s, Rubenzer co-founded TUFLA (Taxpayers United For Lake Access). In a West Bend Daily News column dated July 6, 2002, editor Steve Sandberg described Rubenzer as “one who has been a vocal advocate of making Washington County lakes accessible to area residents and other causes that tend to benefit the many instead of the few.”
A memorial gathering will be held on Saturday, November 29, 2025, from 1 p.m. until 3 p.m. at the Schmidt Funeral Home, 629 Cedar St, West Bend.
Messages for the family may be left in an online guestbook at www.schmidtfuneralhome.com.
