Heide Genevieve (Rutten) Medina

Heide G. Rutten-Medina, 39 of San Jose, California formerly of Devils Lake, ND died on breast cancer on Friday, April 30, 2010 at her home in San Jose. Mass of Christian Burial for Heide will be held on Saturday, May 22, 2010 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Devils Lake. Fr. Dale Kinzler will celebrate the Mass and burial will be in St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery. Heide Genevieve daughter of John and Mary Rutten, was born in Calcutta, India July 12, 1970. She attended preschool and elementary school in Guatemala City, Guatemala; Santiago, Chile; Islamabad, Pakistan and Devils Lake, North Dakota. She graduated from high school and Lake Region State College in Devils Lake, North Dakota. In 1992, Heide moved to Los Gatos, California, where she became an au pair for her “second family,” Denny and Monica Sabo. She graduated with honors from San Jose State University in 1996 with a degree in early childhood education. She taught at Dave’s Avenue, Van Meter and Blossom Hill elementary schools in Los Gatos, CA where she was known as an exemplary teacher, respected and loved by students and teachers alike. She married Ric Medina on July 22nd, 2001 and they made their home in San Jose, Ca. Heide was a shining light to everyone who met her. Her beautiful smile, positive attitude, love of life, and daily words of advice to her two young daughters, “Be a good friend today.” reflect her spirit of love, friendship, caring and generosity. Heide’s advice to remember that life is delicate, to enjoy today as well as the simple things of life and let bygones be bygones continues to be relevant to all who have read her message. She is survived by her husband, Ric, daughters Genevieve and Ava, San Jose, Ca.; parents, John and Mary Rutten, Devils Lake; twin sister Margie (Vince) Hannesson, West Fargo and brother Andrew (Sara) Rutten, Devils Lake; niece Elizabeth Rutten, nephews John and Tommy Rutten, Will and Peter Hannesson, father in law, Luis Medina, Cali, Colombia; mother in law, Maria Medina, Union City, CA; brother in law, Luis Medina, Hayward, CA and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins. She was preceded in death by her grandparents, Rueben and Adel Will, Dr. Herman and Genevieve Rutten and cousins, Kelly Rutten and Kira Lynn Gordon. Friends may sign the online register book and share memories at www.gilbertsonfuneralhome.com