Dorothy Rutten

On Monday August 20, 2012 after a long battle Dorothy Emma Marie (Grosskrueger-Kelley) Rutten slipped quietly away to her heavenly home. She began her life on July 7, 1924 as the second of three children and as the only girl, in Reedsburg, Sauk, Wisconsin. She and her two brothers, Henry and Phillip went to the schools in the area. She met the love of her life, Walter Lee Kelley as a high school student. She graduated high school in 1942 and then they were married on August 19, 1942 in Reedsburg. She and Walt were together until the end of his life which was November 26, 1977. Four children blessed their union and their lives. They were Juanita Marie, Betty Jean, Robert Lee (died in infancy) and Richard Lee. The children were all born in Reedsburg but Dorothy and her family found themselves following the jobs west across the country. Walt was a truck driver so first they moved to Oregon then to Montana and finally to Pocatello, Idaho where they lived until after all three children graduated from high school or married and for a few more years then back to Montana. They lived in Montana until Walt got ill. Dorothy wanted to come back to Idaho with Walt to be with family. She lived in Pocatello for the remainder of her life.

Dorothy's life work was being a waitress and she was an excellent one. This made it easy for her to find work in all their travels. She really enjoyed being a waitress and everyone enjoyed her very much. She was very quiet but also very witty and funny. She was a super friend and made people feel at ease. Even though she was a quiet person people felt comfortable around her. She loved to fish and be in the great outdoors. She would sit for hours fishing to her heart's content. She belonged to VFW Ladies Auxiliary, American Legion Ladies Auxiliary, and BPO Does and dearly loved to do the charity work they were involved with until her health wouldn't allow it anymore.

On August 8, 1981 Dorothy married Joseph Conrad Rutten. They made a good life together and she was married to him until his death February 8, 1992. After Joe's death she continued to do her charity work with the organizations she had membership in. She also loved doing yard work and making it beautiful. She enjoyed her home and just liked to be there. It was the hardest thing she ever had to do when she had to move to an assisted living facility in 2008 to be able to get the proper care she needed.

Dorothy enjoyed a good visit with her family any time they came to see her. She really enjoyed getting to know all of them. She was amazed at how from three children came 14 grandchildren, 30 great-grandchildren and 10 great-great grandchildren! Dorothy is survived by her brother Phillip Grosskrueger and sister-in-law Mary Kelley, both in Wisconsin; her daughter Betty Jean Bolles, Pearce AZ; her son Richard L. (Thelma) Kelley, Chubbuck, Idaho; 12 grandchildren, 29 great-grandchildren and 10 great-great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband Walter L. Kelley, her son Robert, her daughter Juanita Kelley Morehouse, her mother Margaretha Garske Grosskrueger and her father Herman H.C. Grosskrueger, her husband Joseph C. Rutten, her brother Henry Grosskrueger, 2 grandchildren, and 1 great-grandchild.

As Dorothy Rutten's family, we would like to take this opportunity to thank ALL those who work at Ridgewind Assisted Living Facility for all the wonderful care and kindness that was given to her while she stayed there. It has been a real blessing to know she was given the care we couldn't and was not able to give her the last years of her life. We thank you and we know Dorothy thanks you too. We would also like to say thank you to all the caregivers, doctor and nurses alike for the wonderful and compassionate and thoughtful way you cared for our Mother and Grandmother at the end of her life here on earth. THANKS AGAIN TO YOU ALL!!

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