Frances E. Rutz, age 93, of West Bend, passed away Thursday, June 30, 2011 at the Cedar Lake Health and Rehabilitation Center in the town of West Bend.
She was born on July 2, 1917 in Dothan, Alabama to the late Walter and Lorraine (nee Shortt) Hinesley. Frances moved to Fond du Lac at a young age. After completing business school, she moved to West Bend to work at Pick Manufacturing. During World War II, she moved to Chicago. After the war, she moved back to West Bend. On July 11, 1945, Frances was united in marriage to Arthur Rutz at St. John's Ev. Lutheran Church in West Bend. She worked at the Schloemer Law office for 17 years, retiring in 1981. Frances was an active member of St. John's Ev. Lutheran Church in West Bend. She was also a member of their Ladies Guild, Missionary League and choir. She is survived by her three children, Jeanne (Art) Plansky of Mayville, Roger Rutz of Milwaukee and Suzanne Bickum of West Bend; four grandchildren, Tracy (Tom) Stoffel, Christopher (Jill) Plansky, Julie (Chris) Olson and Jason (Kim) Plansky; seven great-grandchildren; Kirstin, Henry, & Karah Stoffel, Callie, Brady, & Sophie Plansky, and Madelynn Olson; two brothers, Walter Hinesley of Athens, IL and Gordon (Pauline) Hinesley of Jupiter, FL; other relatives and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Arthur; son, Thomas Rutz; two sisters, Florence Langacker and Lillian Russell; brother, Charles (Virginia) Hinesley; sister-in-law, Gertrude Lenz and two brothers-in-law, Fred (Esther) Rutz and Carl Rutz.
Funeral services in remembrance of Frances will be held on Saturday, July 2nd at 1:00 pm at the Myrhum-Patten Funeral Home, 1315 W. Washington Street, West Bend with Rev. Guy Roberts officiating. Visitation will be at the funeral home on Saturday from 12:00 pm (noon) until the time of the service. Burial will follow in Washington County Memorial Park.
Memorials to St. John's Ev. Lutheran Church are appreciated by the family.