Rose Rutledge

Rose Cecilia Rutledge, age 94, of Des Moines, Iowa, passed away November 2, 2014, in Atlantic, Iowa. Left to cherish her memory are; daughter, Candice Rutledge and son, Perry Rutledge, both of Las Vegas, NV. Her husband, Foster Rutledge and eldest son, Edward, "Ned" Rutledge pre- deceased her in 2013. Her five grandchildren, Brandon, Carrie, Ashley, Tyler Rutledge and Kelly Rutledge Ohman, as well as three great-great-grandchildren, Dominic and Georgia Ignacio and Trinity Rutledge, also carry the legacy of her love in their hearts.

Born August 8, 1920, in Retlaw, Alberta Canada, to Joseph and Mary (Rahko) Susut, Rose was the last child and youngest of nine children in the Susut family. The family soon moved to a farm outside of Lacombe, Alberta Canada, where Rose grew to adulthood attending school in a one-room school house in Iowalta District. The nine Susut children helped run the family farm but their leisure time was spent playing baseball as they had their own team and were seldom defeated. At one point, Rose and her sister, Margaret, were asked to consider playing on a professional women's league in the United States.

Rose had a life-long love of baseball and remained athletic most of her life, but chose to remain in Canada with her family. She met Foster and his family when she was 9 years old and as adults, they chose to marry in 1947. Foster and Rose farmed in Alberta until moving to Iowa in 1952 with their young family. At the time of her husband's death, she noted that she and Foster had been lifelong friends for over 81 years and married for 66 years.

Rose was known for her entertaining skills and her cooking. Anyone who came to visit was welcomed with coffee, home-baked goods and usually a cribbage board set up for play. She also was an excellent gardener, raising flowers and wonderful vegetables to share with the neighbors. Her knitting and sewing skills were excellent. She was a loving wife and mother.

Her greatest love was her family. She and Foster spent several years in Atlantic and made life-long friends here.

Memorials in Rose's name should be sent to: Meals from the Heartland, 357 Lincoln Street, West Des Moines, Iowa 50265. The family extends appreciation to the Atlantic Nursing and Rehab Center for their care of our mother.

Services are scheduled for Monday, November 17, 2014, at 11:00 a.m. at Hockenberry Family Care Chapel in Atlantic, Iowa, with burial in the Atlantic Cemetery.

Visitation with family will be held from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m., prior to the funeral.

Hockenberry Family Care in Atlantic, Iowa, is in charge of the arrangements.