Phyllis Rutledge

Phyllis Jean Rutledge

Phyllis J. Rutledge, 77, Nashwauk, formerly of Bemidji and Lansing, MI died Friday, April 15, 2016 in Hibbing.  She was born on August 30, 1938 to Nick and Pearl (Ellison) Crosby in Lansing, MI.  Phyllis was a 1956 grad from Okemos High School in Lansing, MI.  After high school, Phyllis held various jobs throughout her career.  She was employed  with the University of Michigan, as a Key Punch Operator, a secretary in Grayling, MI, she later was a case worker for Beltrami County in Bemidji, she worked at Russ’ used sales in Nashwauk, a CNA in Nashwauk and Grand Rapids, an AVON Rep in Nashwauk, and  a food handler in San Diego, CA.  She volunteered as a Den Mother with Cub Scouts, she facilitated many fundraisers and also volunteered for the Salvation Army.

Phyllis was a compassionate, loving and caring individual.  Her gifts were her hospitality and a giving person.  She accepted Jesus Christ as her savior.  Phyllis was baptized in the Lutheran church.

She loved her grandkids and going on adventures with them.  She always enjoyed quality time with her family and friends.  Phyllis was the hostess with the mostess, and especially loved when people dropped in on a whim.  Her pastimes were winning many cribbage games, garage saling, beach combing, nature walks, quilting, photography, painting and crafts, journalism, baking, gardening, and yard work.

She is survived by her children, Laurie (Roger) Larson, Silver Bay, MN, Jim (Kristal) Rutledge, Hibbing, and, Robin (Michael) Wolfe, Nashwauk, siblings, Donald (Karen) Ellison, Kenneth (Mary) Ellison, Rod (Sue) Ellison, Tom (Julie) Ellison, Roger (Lou) Ellison, Bob (Mika) Ellison, Nancy (Al) Ott, and Pat Lund, her ten grandchildren, Ryan Wolfe, Keith Wolfe, Jesse Wolfe, Tom Rutledge, Kate Rutledge, Brandon Johnson, Tom Johnson, James Donald Berg, Matthew Larson, and Nathan Larson, 11 great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, sister, Judy (Ellison) Parish, and grandson, Christopher Allen Rutledge.

Funeral services for Phyllis will be 2:00pm, Saturday, April 30, 2016 at the Dougherty Funeral Home of Hibbing.  Pastor Roger Larson will officiate.  Visitation will be from 6-8pm, Friday, April 29, 2016 at Dougherty Funeral Home of Hibbing.  The visitation will then continue one hour prior to the funeral service at the funeral home on Saturday.  A reception at Dougherty’s will immediately follow the funeral service.

To leave an online message of condolence please visit our website at www.doughertyofhibbing.com .