Norma Rutz obituary

    Norma Elsie Rutz, formerly of Lake City, Minn., passed away on October 12, 2021 at Seasons Hospice House in Rochester.  
    Norma is survived by her daughter Coleen (Mark) Rieder of Rochester; her much loved grandchildren Nicholas (Christina) Rieder of Rochester and Claire (Marcus) Gudgell of Rochester and her beloved great-grandsons Kipton and Brooks Gudgell of Rochester; her sister Patricia (Willard) Fick and brother Elwyn Kluess. She was preceded in death by her parents and step-mother, Dorothy; husband, Jerry; daughter, Miriam Rutz; sister, Barbara (Clarence) Meyer and brothers John Kluess and DuWayne Kluess.
    Norma was born on April 9, 1934 in Appleton, Wis. to Reuben and Elsie Kluess.  After graduating from Hortonville High School, she attended Bethany Lutheran College in Mankato, Minn.  She met her future husband, Edward (Jerry) Rutz, while attending college. They married in 1957 and created their home in Lake City, where they raised their daughters.
    Norma worked briefly as a teacher and secretary, before establishing herself as a skilled homemaker. A large garden produced countless varieties of flowers and many quarts of pickles and sauerkraut. Riced potatoes were a standard at family gatherings and stollen and popcorn balls were a Christmas staple. Cherished memories of her grandchildren include: beef roast with potatoes and carrots in the blue speckled roasting pan, watching/playing along to The Price is Right and Wheel of Fortune with their grandparents and endless quantities of buttered popcorn. Norma was also a talented seamstress, sewing clothes for herself, her daughters and her granddaughter. Their dolls often had matching outfits. Her embroidered tablecloths and quilted blankets are treasured remembrances. If there was an empty seat at a card table, she was a ready player of 500, sheepshead, Uno, Phase 10 and Skip-Bo. At her retirement communities, she also became an avid fan of bingo, jigsaw puzzles and sticker books.
    Norma’s family wishes to extend their gratitude for the care provided to her by the staff at Shorewood, Arbor Terrace Assisted Living and Seasons Hospice.
    No funeral or memorial service is immediately planned.  Those who wish may honor Norma’s memory by making a donation to the house refurbishment fund at Seasons Hospice (www.seasonshospice.org).