John P. Rutten

John P. Rutten, 80 a life-long resident of Devils Lake, ND died on Tuesday, January 17, 2017 at Mercy Hospital, Devils Lake.  John Patrick Rutten was born on May 6, 1936 in Devils Lake, ND. He was the eldest child of Dr. Herman and Genevieve (Murphy) Rutten’s seven children.  He graduated from Devils Lake Central High School in 1954, the University of North Dakota in 1959 and Thunderbird International School of Global Trade in Glendale, AZ in 1961.  He returned to the University of North Dakota to obtain a teaching degree in 1990. John had an adventuresome spirit. From the time he was a young boy, he wanted to live and work overseas.  He began his career at the New York Public Library doing geographical research.  In 1961 he joined CARE International (Cooperative for American Relief) which led him to live in Panama, Ecuador, Columbia, Dominican Republic, India, Guatemala, Honduras, Chile, Pakistan and the United States.  He returned to Devils Lake in 1979 where he taught Spanish in the Devils Lake Public Schools, retiring in 2000.  John was united in marriage to Mary Will of Devils Lake in 1968. They had three children, Heide, Margie and Andrew.  John enjoyed telling stories, sometimes with a bit of embellishment, about his many travel experiences to anyone who would listen. Throughout his travels, he was not just a visitor to each country.  Instead, he studied the culture, the language and the music which endeared him to the local citizens.  John loved to read and had a particular interest in military history and geography.  He was passionate about the outdoors.  Throughout the year, he enjoyed time at the Murphy-Rutten farm, Wood Lake, fly fishing, hunting and cross-country skiing with family and friends.  He was often seen walking one of his beloved black labs. John was a member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Tau Kappa Epsilon Fraternity, Indo-American Society and West Bengal Gun Club, Lions Club, Rotary Club, Elks Lodge 1216 and Devils Lake Community Elks Band, Lake Region Shooting Sports Association and the National Rifle Association. John is survived by his wife, Mary and children, Margie Hannesson (Vince) of Lake Park, MN, Andrew Rutten (Sara) of Devils Lake, son-in-law Ric Medina of San Jose, CA; eight grandchildren, Ellie, John, Tommy and Jack Rutten, Will and Peter Hannesson, Genevieve and Ava Medina; siblings Tom (Char) Rutten of Myrtle Creek, OR, Richard (Jacque) Rutten of Minot, ND, Susan (Terry) Anderson of Tucson, AZ, Donald (Debbie Harvey) Rutten of Woodbury, MN, Robert (Caryl) Rutten of Bismarck, ND, Patricia (Gary) Helfenstein of Shillington, PA; many nieces, nephews and their families. He is preceded in death by his daughter Heide Medina; parents Herman and Genevieve Rutten; niece Kelly Rutten; grand niece Kira Lynn Gordon; in-laws Rueben and Adel Will.  GO PACK GO! GO SIOUX! Mass of Christian Burial for John will be held on Monday, January 23, 2017 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Devils Lake with the Very Reverend C.F. Wilhelm celebrating the Mass. Burial will be in St. Joseph's Catholic Cemetery. Visitation will be held at St. Joseph Catholic Church on Sunday from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. with a Rosary and Scripture Service at 7:00 p.m.   Visitation will continue on Monday at the church one hour prior to the funeral Mass. Online condolences at www.gilbertsonfuneralhome.com