Rutschman, William C. (1880-1971)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1971 Dec 2 p. 11

Birth date: 1880 Jul 27

text of obituary:

WILLIAM C. RUTSCHMAN

William C. Rutschman, son of Henry and Lydia Ummel Rutschman, was born in King City, Mo. on July 27, 1880. He died at Tillamook General Hospital, Tillamook, Ore., on June 25, 1971, at the age of 90 years, 10 months and 29 days.

The Rutschman family moved to Ness County, Kansas, in 1896, where William attended grade school. In 1899, the family moved to Butler County, Kan. There the family united with the Swiss Mennonite Church.

In a few years he bought a farm near Whitewater. On May 8, 1913, he was married to Martha Schirmer at the Swiss Church. They celebrated their golden wedding anniversary at the Swiss Church in 1963.

In 1926 they sold their farm at Whitewater and moved to Salem, Ore. In 1929 they purchased a farm near Silverton, Ore. There he and his family united with the Emmanuel Mennonite Church of Pratum. William served the Lord faithfully all his life and was active in the work of the church. He taught Sunday school, served on the church board, and was secretary for the Mennonite Extension. He also helped plan and remodel the Emmanuel Church. He helped support various missionaries and spent much time in prayer for them.

In 1946 William retired from the farm and they moved to Salem. There he did custodial work for 18 years. For several years his work was at the Knight Memorial Church where he was honored with a plaque for outstanding service. William and Martha united with the Kingwood Bible Church, a Mennonite Brethren Church, in 1965, after he was unable to drive. A year ago, his health began to fail so they sold their home in Salem and moved to Hebo, Ore. to reside in a mobile home beside their daughter's house. He was able to be at home until June 8, when he was hospitalized until his death.

Survivors include his wife, Martha of Hebo; a son, Roy, of Silverton; a daughter, Susanne, of Hebo; four sisters, Mrs. Mary Zuercher of Hutchinson, Kan., Mrs. Della Roth and Mrs. Minnie Roth of Whitewater, and Mrs. Elma Schrag of Pretty Prairie; three brothers, Dave, Fred and Harry of Newton; six grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

Funeral services were held June 28 at the Emmanuel Mennonite Church at Pratum. Rev. Ben King of the Beaver Community Church, Rev. Allan Tschiegg of the Pratum church, and Rev. Leonard Vogt of Kingwood Bible Church officiated. Interment was at the Pratum Cemetery.