1927
Geraldine
2016
Geraldine Rutledge
October 23, 1927 — March 19, 2016
Geraldine "Gerrie" Helen Ghent Rutledge, 88, of Detroit Lakes, died Saturday, March 19 with family by her side.
Funeral service will be held at Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Detroit Lakes, on Saturday, March 26, 2016 at 11:00 A.M. Visitation will be held at the David-Donehower Funeral Home on Friday, March 25, 2016 from 5:00-7:00 PM with a prayer service and wake in celebration of her life at 7:00 PM. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the Funeral service at the church. Gerrie was born October 23, 1927 in St. Paul, MN, the only daughter of Dr. Charles Harry and Mary Florence Ghent. She was educated at the Convent of the Visitation High School, where she graduated Valedictorian of her class of 1945. She attended Radcliffe College of Harvard University and the University of Minnesota where she received her BS in Physical Therapy. During college she joined the Alpha Phi Sorority and remained an active alumnus throughout her life.
On February 2, 1951, Gerrie was united in marriage to Dr. John Rutledge at St. Lukes Catholic Church in St. Paul. They moved to Detroit Lakes in 1955 where they raised their four children. Gerrie practiced for a number of years as a physical therapist, employed by St. Mary's Hospital and Multi County Nursing. She was a member of Holy Rosary Catholic Church where she was a regular lector, Eucharistic Minister, member of the parish council, bell choir and Catholic Daughters. Gerrie was an active member of the Detroit Lakes community, including the Damian Society, The 50 Club, Detroit Lakes Community Foundation, and St. Mary's Foundation where she was a Legacy Leader. She served as the first woman board member of the Detroit Lakes Country Club and was involved in the Ladies Golf Association and Pine to Palm committees. She also organized the original pre-school screening for vision and hearing in the Detroit Lakes schools. In her spare time Gerrie enjoyed golf, playing bridge, gardening, tennis, cross-country and downhill skiing, and any type of party or social event. Gerrie was a loving mother, grandmother, wife and friend. She could light up a room with her spirit and energy and was at her best in the company of her multitude of friends.
Gerrie is survived by her son: Dr. Robb (Jane) Rutledge of Red Wing, MN, daughter: Nancy Haggart of Detroit Lakes, MN, son: Tanner Rutledge of Columbia Heights, MN and daughter: Susie (Todd) Johnson of Willmar, MN. She is also survived by 10 grandchildren: Charlie (Kim) Haggart, Nic Haggart, Dr. Geoffrey Rutledge, Anne (Luke) Seidl, Kelley Johnson, Lauren Rutledge, Paul Rutledge, Michael (Katie) Haggart, Caitlin Johnson (fiancé Steven Reuter) and Reid Rutledge as well as two great-grandchildren: William and Oliver Haggart.
She is preceded in death by her husband John and parents: Dr. Harry and Florence Ghent. Family requests memorial donations be made to Holy Rosary Catholic Church- 1043 Lake Ave. Detroit Lakes, MN 56501 and Hospice of the Red River Valley-1111 U.S. Hwy 10 Detroit Lakes, MN 56501
Funeral Home: David Donehower Funeral Home 609 Hwy 10 East Detroit Lakes, MN US 56501
Friday, March 25, 2016
Service
Saturday, March 26, 2016
Funeral service will be held at Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Detroit Lakes, on Saturday, March 26, 2016 at 11:00 A.M. Visitation will be held at the David-Donehower Funeral Home on Friday, March 25, 2016 from 5:00-7:00 PM with a prayer service and wake in celebration of her life at 7:00 PM. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the Funeral service at the church. Gerrie was born October 23, 1927 in St. Paul, MN, the only daughter of Dr. Charles Harry and Mary Florence Ghent. She was educated at the Convent of the Visitation High School, where she graduated Valedictorian of her class of 1945. She attended Radcliffe College of Harvard University and the University of Minnesota where she received her BS in Physical Therapy. During college she joined the Alpha Phi Sorority and remained an active alumnus throughout her life.
On February 2, 1951, Gerrie was united in marriage to Dr. John Rutledge at St. Lukes Catholic Church in St. Paul. They moved to Detroit Lakes in 1955 where they raised their four children. Gerrie practiced for a number of years as a physical therapist, employed by St. Mary's Hospital and Multi County Nursing. She was a member of Holy Rosary Catholic Church where she was a regular lector, Eucharistic Minister, member of the parish council, bell choir and Catholic Daughters. Gerrie was an active member of the Detroit Lakes community, including the Damian Society, The 50 Club, Detroit Lakes Community Foundation, and St. Mary's Foundation where she was a Legacy Leader. She served as the first woman board member of the Detroit Lakes Country Club and was involved in the Ladies Golf Association and Pine to Palm committees. She also organized the original pre-school screening for vision and hearing in the Detroit Lakes schools. In her spare time Gerrie enjoyed golf, playing bridge, gardening, tennis, cross-country and downhill skiing, and any type of party or social event. Gerrie was a loving mother, grandmother, wife and friend. She could light up a room with her spirit and energy and was at her best in the company of her multitude of friends.
Gerrie is survived by her son: Dr. Robb (Jane) Rutledge of Red Wing, MN, daughter: Nancy Haggart of Detroit Lakes, MN, son: Tanner Rutledge of Columbia Heights, MN and daughter: Susie (Todd) Johnson of Willmar, MN. She is also survived by 10 grandchildren: Charlie (Kim) Haggart, Nic Haggart, Dr. Geoffrey Rutledge, Anne (Luke) Seidl, Kelley Johnson, Lauren Rutledge, Paul Rutledge, Michael (Katie) Haggart, Caitlin Johnson (fiancé Steven Reuter) and Reid Rutledge as well as two great-grandchildren: William and Oliver Haggart.
She is preceded in death by her husband John and parents: Dr. Harry and Florence Ghent. Family requests memorial donations be made to Holy Rosary Catholic Church- 1043 Lake Ave. Detroit Lakes, MN 56501 and Hospice of the Red River Valley-1111 U.S. Hwy 10 Detroit Lakes, MN 56501
Funeral Home: David Donehower Funeral Home 609 Hwy 10 East Detroit Lakes, MN US 56501
Previous Events
VisitationFriday, March 25, 2016
5:00 PM
- 7:00 PM
David-Donehower Funeral Home
609 Hwy 10 East
Detroit Lakes, MN 56501
A Prayer Service will be held at 7PM.
Saturday, March 26, 2016
11:00 AM
Holy Rosary Catholic Church
1043 Lake Avenue
Detroit Lakes, MN 56501
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