Peter Truttmann

Peter “Pete” Truttmann passed away peacefully on April 17, 2026 at Silverstone Memory Care on Packard. He was born on January 15, 1948 to Louise (Riedener) Schöpfer and Johann Schöpfer in Schaffhausen, Switzerland. In June 1958 he joined his mother and Step Father, Arthur Truttmann, in Chicago, IL. The transition was difficult at first. He missed his grandparents and friends and the rural atmosphere of his hometown. For a while his grades plummeted because there were no English learner classes at his school. Then his mother enrolled him in English classes at the YMCA. Watching cartoons on TV also helped him to learn English. He also learned to play pool at the Y and, he went to their summer camps making many friends there.

In high school Pete played saxophone in the school’s jazz band. In his senior year he also played clarinet in Chicago’s all city high school band. He also played hockey and football for several years. He graduated from Senn high school in 1966. Pete attended college at Illinois Institute of Technology and graduated with a degree in mechanical engineering while often working full time.

Pete loved to be outdoors. While on a camping trip to High Cliff state park he met Barb at a dance. They were married in 1974. Wanting a permanent vacation spot they purchased a cottage near Mountain, WI. The family loved picking wild blackberries, and swimming and fishing in the nearby lakes. Pete, Barb, and Brian also enjoyed many trips to the water parks in Wisconsin Dells.

Pete also loved to play pool. He played on various teams in the Appleton area for over thirty years. Even as a child Pete could fix almost anything and he often fixed things for his mother and others. He always carried some tools in his car. Once while driving through the mountains out West, he helped a trucker fix his disabled truck, partly because of his love of fixing things.

Pete and Barb founded Truttmann Properties apartment rentals in 1984. The business continues to this day. Pete spent the majority of his career at Kimberly Clark Corp Neenah, WI. He worked in several different areas there, the last being as a project engineer on the Yankee dryer safety team. He received several patents for his innovative work at KC. Over the years Pete and Barb traveled to many areas of the U.S. and sometimes Canada. Pete also made a memorable canoe trip to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness of MN with his brother-in-law Bob.

After his Alzheimer’s diagnosis Barb & Pete took part in several programs offered at Beaming Stables, Neenah. The family wishes to thank the entire Beaming Organization, including the horses for their friendliness and dedication. Also, thanks to the volunteers for the great programs, they offer.

Pete is survived by his wife, Barbara Truttmann; son, Brian Truttmann; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law: Betty and Bob Knoll, Mary & Frank Ahacic, Tom Knoll, Donna Knoll; nephews: Thomas Knoll and Jim Knoll (Emily); cousins and friends. He was preceded in death by his mother, father, stepfather, grandparents, other relatives, and his furry friend Nemo.

Private funeral services will be held at a later date.

Please address any memorials to:

 Beaming Stables, 2692 County Rd GG, Neenah, WI 54956

The family wishes to thank the staff at Silverstone Memory Care on Packard St. and also the staff at Moments Hospice for the compassionate care they gave to Pete.

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.