Birth date: May 8, 1922 Death date: Apr 8, 2012
Mary Louise Rutenbeck, 89, of Clinton, died Sunday, April 8, 2012 at her home in Clinton. Mass of the Christian Burial will be 10:30am, Thursday, April 12, 2012 at the Prince of Peace Catholic Church. Burial will follow in the Read Obituary
To Barb, Linda and Jim and your families: I'm so sorry your mother has passed away. She was a kind soul and a neat lady! It takes a special person to be a teacher, especially for so many years!! I am glad I got a few hugs out of her in October! I will miss the visitation and funeral but you will be in my thoughts. Love, Peggy
Barbie, Linda and Jim,
Too many memories. The first time I met your parents was before the DEB dance at Clinton High. Mary had a lovely dinner for several of Barbie's friends before we went and created havoc on the dance. She was the most gracious loving person I had ever met. I remember the Christmas parties your parents had and used to gobble up those wonderful breaded chicken livers she used to make for the appetizers. I couldn't get enough of them. In fact I think I'm going to cook myself some tonight using her recipe that she gave me years ago in honor of her memory. Of course those parties always included playing that Hammond organ that my dad sold them with her and her friends singing "Five Foot Two Eyes of Blue" over my shoulder till your dad came over and told us to turn it down. A saying I always love as my mom used to say it to me all the time before her death - I'll share it with you now:
"If ever there is tomorrow when we're not together...there is something you must always remember. You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think, but the most important thing is, even if we're apart...I'll always be with you." Winnie the Pooh
With all my LOVE!
To Mary Louise's family,
I am so sorry to hear of her passing, She was a great lady and always loved to go look at for Antiques. I enjoyed my time with her in the Antiquers club while I lived in the Clinton area. She was a great lady.
May God Bless you all and help you with your loss.
Mrs. Rutenbeck was my kindergarten teacher in 1986-87. I got the fortune of being in her last class before she retired. She was an excellent teacher and wonderful person. She and I rejoiced and commiserated about the Hawkeyes. That year the Hawkeyes basketball team went all the way to the Elite 8 in the tournament and were for a time ranked #1 in the nation. I remember her classroom door being completely covered with Hawkeyes paraphernalia, and I remember her wearing her festive Hawkeye socks. It was a fun year and I never again had a teacher quite like Mrs. Rutenbeck.
My condolences to all of her family and friends in this time of grieving. Know that she positively influenced many people in her various roles as teacher, parent, grandparent, and friend.
God's Blessings,
Peter Calhoun
Barb, Linda and Jim,
So sorry to hear of your Mother's death. You have had a lot of sadness in your lives the last six months. Thinking of you and sending my love.
Marilyn
To the family of Mrs. Rutenbeck:
I will always remember Mary as Mrs. Rutenbeck. She was my kindergarten teacher at Jefferson. I remember her hawkeye socks and her perfume. More recently I had the privledge of being her housekeeper. She was kind and generous and enjoyed my children when I brought them with me on Friday mornings. She truly loved children. I enjoyed all the pictures of the ones she loved that she kept around her. Especially on her mirror. She was very special and will be missed. May you the family find comfort in each other and in God.
Barb and Family,
I am so sorry to hear about your Mom. It's so hard to loose your parents. May your greatest memories help you through this tough time. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Your Friend,
Nancy
Barb,
So sorry to hear about your mom. It is never easy, but doubly hard when you lost your dad so recently. Thoughts and prayers to you and your family.
We were sorry to hear about your Mother. I don't think we will be able to attend the funeral. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you.
Carol
Barbie, Linda, and Jim, please know my thoughts and prayers are with you and all your family at this difficult time. Your mother was such a comfort to me growing up on Keith Court. Your home was always a welcoming place for me, one of the youngest of the group! Your dad's trains and your mother's kindness and laughter will live with me always. Much love, and hugs, and prayers are winging their way to you from Canada.
