Joel Karnick
Steve “Big Guy” A. Rusnak, age 63, of Butternut, died at his home on Tuesday August 6th, 2024. He was born on November 2, 1960, in Chicago, the son of Frank Butler and Shirley Black. Some of his early life was spent in Chicago, until Shirley and his family moved to Butternut. When he was old enough, he bought what is now Steve’s Corner Bar, home of “Those Guys” & “Bad Dawg”. With opening the bar, he made lifelong friends-and it’s also where he met his lifelong companion, Vicki Hirtreiter. They married in 1993 and later divorced but remained friends and continued to take care of each other and look out for one another.
Steve was a jack of all trades with an entrepreneur’s heart and a great sense of humor. He made friends everywhere he went, especially during his working years. Steve always had a love for music. Steve had been a DJ in “Those Guys” with Windsor Weis and also was the founder and drummer for Bad Dawg, which played at his bar regularly, for over 20 years. He loved to watch live music and always showed his support to local musicians and businesses. He enjoyed coin collecting, ice fishing, utv rides, scratch-off tickets (scratchies), befriending deer, squirrels and other wildlife, tavern league, telling dad-jokes, singing in the morning, bonding with his sister Sandy, playing horseshoes, and taking his dog Rufus on walks. He was also an avid Packer and Brewers fan all of his life. He loved to flaunt any time Packers won against the Vikings and especially ‘Da Bears. Most of all, he loved spending time with his friends and family and making them smile.
He is survived by (3)children; Shelbi (Julian) Routheaux, Trista Golomb, Joe Voda, (6)grandchildren; Justis (whom he was always so proud of), Caleb, Xavier, Owen, Philip, and Bentley, by his life partner Vicki Hirtreiter, (3)siblings; Sandy (Darrel) Wages, Dale (Liz) Butler, Frank (Becky) Butler, his canine companion Rufus, his singing partner Mia (another canine companion) and by many nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents.
A celebration of life will be held at 4:00pm on Saturday September 28th at the Park Falls American Legion Hall in Park Falls. Rev. John Deitz will officiate.
A visitation will be held from 2:00pm until the hour of the service at the legion hall.
Private interment will take place at Butternut Union Cemetery.
Birch Street Funeral Service is assisting the family.
