Deloris Rutten

A mass of Christian burial for Deloris Rutten was held at 10:30 a.m., on Monday, June 19, 2023, at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Albion, NE, with Fr. Mark Tomasiewicz officiating. Inurnment was in St. Michael’s Cemetery in Albion, NE. Levander Funeral Home of Albion, NE is in charge of the arrangements. Deloris Darlene Rutten was born May 18, 1935, in Dustin, NE, to Henry and Blanche Diekmann. She was welcomed into the family by one-yearold Donald Dean. The family moved back to Gregory, SD, to take over the original Diekmann farm in 1936. The family grew with four more children - Dee, Phyllis, Donna, and Bob - and two children who died at birth. Deloris attended country school for eight years, then boarded in Gregory for one year of high school. She moved back in with the family when they moved to a farm on the edge of Gregory so the children could all attend school there. She graduated in 1953, then went to a business school in Omaha, NE. She worked in Omaha until 1956. It was during this time that she met Donald Lawrence Rutten of Albion, and they married on July 30, 1956, at the Catholic church in Gregory, SD. Since that time, her home has been in Albion, NE.

The couple were parents of Cheryl Lynn, who was taken in a car accident in 1971, Cynthia Sue, Catherine Dee and Cara Elizabeth. Following Cheryl’s wish that the family adopt a baby boy, Troy Lynn came into the family in 1973 at the age of 21 months old.

Deloris and Don were active workers in the community. Deloris used her secretarial and bookkeeping skills for their family, plus was a temporary fill-in for almost all of the businesses in Albion that needed someone to fill in while an employee dealt with a crisis or illness. She and Don managed the Vets Club for ten years; she was a chief bookkeeper and aide. They owned and operated Green Acres Landfill and Boone County disposal from 1977 to 1993. She served as the Director of Harmony Homes for a couple of years. Her bookwork skills were put to the test when she helped do the bookwork for Prairie Hill Farms and Prairie Hill Feed Mill for almost 17 years. Deloris volunteered her many skills as she held an office in every organization or club that she belonged to. She always refused to be president of anything, however, as she liked being out of the limelight. She was a member of St. Michael’s Catholic Church, The Altar Society, VFW Auxiliary, Classy Sassies, and volunteered at the public school and wherever she was needed. She also was in the background serving the City of Albion, when her husband Don served several terms as a mayor and, as a city council member. She volunteered every time her kids needed her help in their activities, no matter what the job was.

Deloris and Don celebrated 60 years of marriage in 2016.

Deloris D. Rutten, 88, of Albion, NE, passed away Wednesday, June 7, 2023, at Good Samaritan Society, Albion, NE.

Deloris is survived by her three daughters, one son, and their families: Cindy (Ronald) Paulsen of Meadow Grove, NE; son Jarrod (Amanda) Paulsen and children Nox, Lux, and Kix; daughter Maggie Shanahan; Cathy (Mark) Tierney of Logan, IA; daughters: Aryn (Ryan) Moyer and children Robby, Wesley, and Meliny; Kailee (Zach) Coleman and daughter Olive; Regan (Mitchell) Faircloth and children Angella, Rhiley, Ellenor, and baby Lillian; Cara (John) Furgerson of Elmwood, NE; daughters: Kolbi (Jake) Tomka and children Elena, Maverick, and Zeppelin; Shelbi (Logan) Sperling; Troy (Brandy) Rutten and daughter: Noa Rutten of Omaha, NE; two step-grandsons: Nate (Amanda) Tierney and children Gavin and Tatum; Ben (Corri) Tierney and children: Colby, Chloe, Claire, Cymber, and Cade; sisters Phyllis Henely and Donna Hutchinson of Burke, SD; brother Bob (Cindy) Diekmann of Gregory, SD; sisters-in-law Dorthy Diekmann and Mary Tenski; honorary family members, Vicki and Steve Gragert; along with many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband Don, who passed away on November 24, 2018; Cheryl Lynn; parents Henry and Blanche Diekmann; brother Don Diekmann; sister Dee Laposky; in-laws Dick and Madeline Rutten; special aunt and uncles Liz and Ves Kleeve and Ray Tenski; and nephew Tony Tenski.

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.levanderfuneralhome. com.