Joani Rutten

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, March 21, 2018 at 11:00 am at the Immaculate Conception Church with Fr. Joe Herzing officiating. Visitation hours begin Tuesday evening, March 20 from 4 - 8 pm at Immaculate Conception Church beginning with a Christian Mothers Rosary at 4 pm and ending with Parish Prayers at 8 pm. Interment is at Calvary Cemetery in Osakis, MN.
'Joani' Joanne Rutten, age 76 of Osakis passed into her new life on Saturday, March 17, 2018 from the Galeon in Osakis, MN.
Robert 'Bob' and Gladys (Hendricks) Fearing had their first child, a bouncing baby girl they nicknamed 'Joani' on October 18, 1941 in Alexandria, MN. She grew up in Osakis, graduating with the Class of 1959 from Osakis High School. After working for a time at KCMT television station in Alexandria, Joani then took a job as a secretary for Hendricks Insurance Agency in Osakis. On June 5, 1961 she married the love of her life, Doug Rutten at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Osakis. Joani soon learned how to become a farm wife and in addition to raising her family of five children, she also did the milking on their dairy farm north of Osakis. She also raised chickens, ducks and geese and tended to the young stock and pigs. Her kitchen was the heart of the home and she was busy there cooking up a storm to keep the family well fed. She loved to bake and always was making extra goodies to share with extended family, friends and visitors. Joani delivered an untold number of field lunches out to the guys over the many years of farming. She butchered all of the poultry and cleaned many catches of fish. When she finally had daily chores finished, Joani would relax by working on various knitting, quilting or sewing projects. She created beautiful custom knit doll cloths, pot holders, slippers, and beautiful quilts for every member of the family. It would be impossible to count the number of quilt blocks she and friends like Rose Kreemer cut and pressed over the years. Joani liked to go camping in the summertime and took many memorable road trips with family and dear friends like Judy Collins over the years. She will be especially missed by dear friend, Mary Alice Kallbrenner. Since she was so at home in the kitchen, Joani enjoyed her time working as a cook at St. Agnes Parochial School and later at the Dairy Queen in Long Prairie, MN. She was a member of the Osakis Christian Mothers and was quick to use her friendly smile and interest in others to make new friends. She was as comfortable visiting with shut-ins or nursing home residents as she was with family and friends, for that's how she treated everyone she met, as just more extended family. Her talent for talking, laughing and putting people at ease was a gift she shared all of her life. She will be dearly missed by all who knew her. Blessed be her memory. Joani will live on in the hearts of her children, Ken (Susie) Rutten, Barb (Punky) Didier, all of Osakis, Lin (Pat) Keller of Coon Rapids, Mike (Heather) Rutten, Greg (Jackie) Rutten, all of Little Falls; grandchildren, Alex Rutten, Josh (Lynn Headington) Didier, Katie (Chris) Ludwig, Kari Didier, Becca, Lexi, and Madi Keller, Samantha, Brandy & Lane Rutten, Mitch, Megan & Miranda Reed, Stephan & Jadyn Rutten and a great granddaughter, Abigail JoAnn Ludwig; siblings, Jim (Sharon) Fearing of Long Prairie, Mary (Robbie) Schultz, Judi (Gregg) Anderson, all of Osakis; many nieces and nephews. Preceding her in death are her parents, husband, Doug on 11/27/2012, twin granddaughters, Ashley & Rachel Rutten, nieces, Sarah Rutten and Angeline Hawkins.
Visitation hours begin Tuesday evening, March 20 from 4 - 8 pm at Immaculate Conception Church beginning with a Christian Mothers Rosary at 4 pm and ending with Parish Prayers at 8 pm. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, March 21, 2018 at 11:00 am at the Immaculate Conception Church with Fr. Joe Herzing officiating. Musicians are soloists, Darlene Hendricks, Julie Savoi and Haley Anderson. Readers are Judi Anderson & Madi Keller and Eucharistic Minister is Susie Rutten. Her grandchildren are the gift bearers. Honorary pallbearers are her grandchildren and special friend, Madi Bouldin. Active pallbearers are Josh Didier, Alex Rutten, Lane Rutten, Chris Ludwig, Ryan Rutten and Shawn Oberg. Interment is at the Calvary Cemetery in Osakis, MN. A reception will be held at the Osakis VFW Post #7902 following the service.
The family greatly appreciates all of the love and concern shown them during this time of sorrow and extends their thanks to all who eased the burden in any way. No additional acknowledgements will be sent.
Arrangements are with the Roy-Hetland Funeral Home in Osakis, MN