In Remembrance

It is with deepest sorrow that we announce the passing of our mother, grandmother, great grandmother and sister, Elsie Helen Rutter. Elsie was a recent resident of Waterview Woods in Eveleth. She contracted COVID and succumbed to it at St. Luke’s Hospital in Duluth on September 23, 2020.

Elsie was born June 25, 1935 to Edwin and Helen (Anderson) Kosola in the Hibbing Hospital. They predeceased her along with her sister Ellen (Tom) LaFave, infant brother Roger, and her husband of 57 years, Richard Warren Rutter.

Elsie is survived by her brother Larry (Betty Kosola) of Leesburg, FL, her brother-in-law, Tom LaFave of Hibbing, her daughters Desiree (Ben) Albizu of Hudson, NY, Charlene (Ted/Baldy) Ebert of Silica, sons Michael Rutter (Gail Aalderks) of Sauk Rapids, Todd Rutter & Pinki of Silica, Shaun (Kim) Rutter of Hibbing; grand-children Briana Tobey (Ray Young), Christina (Jeremy) Pearson, Elizabeth Jensen (Santi Abate), Esther (Nate) Westby, Jaclyn Albizu (Lyle Lentz), Jessica & Monica Albizu, Erika & Ian Rutter, Julieann & Tyler Rutter; great-grandchildren Cassidy Young, Hunter Tobey, Devinne Carlson, Levi & Tyson Westby, Jacquelyn Pearson, Nissa Jensen, Charlotte Pearson, and Josephine Albizu Lentz; her sister-in-laws, Jean Pearthree of Durango, CO, Anita Parris of Bel-Air, MD and Sharon Johnson of Savage, MN; along with numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Elsie attended 17 different schools growing up. She was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Hibbing and taught Sunday School when her children were young. She was also involved leading 4-H for a number of years. She was an Avon lady for her community a couple times, but spent the better part of her adult life being secretary/treasurer for Childeer Enterprises/Childeer Chips, Inc., Richard’s logging businesses. Just before retirement, she was a secretary for radio stations WTBX/WKKQ. She loved filing and making short order of other’s paperwork. During her marriage to Richard, they ventured West, spending several winters at their home in Phoenix, AZ.

Elsie was a devoted mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She loved to hear what everyone was doing. She will be remembered as a woman of wit, who enjoyed a good laugh, a cigarette, and long visits chatting over coffee with those she loved. 

Due to COVID, the family has decided that there will be no public memorial service at this time. In lieu of flowers, we ask that you help out someone in need, donate to a food pantry, or make a donation to the Alzheimer’s Association (www.alz.org), in memory of Richard & Elsie.

Elsie’s wish was to be cremated. Her ashes will be kept by the family along with Richard’s.