A Celebration of Life Open House for Rita D. Rutan will be held Friday, February 2, 2024 from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the ERC Building at Yanney Park in Kearney, Nebraska. (615 Yanney Ave. Kearney, NE)
Rita Dorine Rutan, 73 years of age, of Monona, Iowa, formerly of Kearney and Holdrege, passed away, on January 26, 2024, at Garden View Assisted Living in Monona. Rita was born in Holdrege, Nebraska on October 19, 1950, the sixth of nine children, born to Burnell and Lois (Teaford) Kaup. She received her education from Oxford Public School and later attended and graduated from Oxford High School, with the class of 1968.
On May 22, 1968, Rita was united in marriage to Jim Rutan in Oxford, and to this union, two children were born: Tim and Shelly. The family made their home in Holdrege, where Rita was employed at Becton Dickinson in quality control. In 2013, she retired after 40 years of service.
Following her retirement, she loved having weekly coffee dates with friends and past coworkers, and also enjoyed reading and doing puzzles. Above all else, Rita’s top priority was her family. She loved attending her grandchildren’s sporting events and activities. In recent years, she moved to Kearney and treasured all the time spent with her great-grandchildren. Rita loved her large extended family and was always looking forward to the next family gathering or Kaup reunion. In November of 2023, she moved to Monona, to be near her daughter.
Rita will be remembered for her selfless heart; always giving and going the extra mile to help in whatever way possible.
She was preceded in death by her parents; two brothers: Neil Kaup; and Gary Kaup; and two brothers-in-law: Dean Smith; and Harlan Frese.
Rita is survived by her children: Tim Rutan of Kearney, Nebraska; and Shelly Stubbs and her husband, Collin of Luana, Iowa; five grandchildren: Aleesha Babl and her husband, Jeff; Logan Rutan; Cody Rutan and his wife, Amanda; Chase Stubbs; Ethan Stubbs; six great-grandchildren: Blakely and Emersen Babl; Bronson, Kellin, and Joelle Rutan; and Adonis Lurssen; two brothers: Donn Kaup and his wife, Cindy; and Bruce Kaup and his wife, Carla; four sisters: Joyce Smith; Lynn Frese; Myrl Rezac; and Julie McDonald and her husband, Dick; sister-in-law: Tammy Kaup; and a host of nieces and nephews, other relatives, and friends.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to the ladies at South View Apartments, Garden View Assisted Living, and Crossing Rivers Health Hospice for the wonderful care they provided.
There will be no viewing or visitation. The family is honoring Rita’s wish for cremation.
A memorial has been established in Rita’s honor and is kindly suggested to the family for a later designation. Expressions of caring and kindness can be sent to the family at www.nelsonbauerfh.com
The Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege is in charge of the arrangements.