Florian R. Rutz

RUTZ, KROLL, MATHIASMEIER, EGGERS, JONES, SURMA, WOTZKA

Posted By: dbeier (email)
Date: 1/3/2010 at 20:35:53

GREENE: Florian R. Rutz, 83, of Greene died Thursday, December 18, 2008 of natural causes at the Liebe Care Center in Greene. Florian like his wife has donated his body to the Dept of Anatomy at the University of Iowa. There will be a Memorial Mass for Florian at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Greene at a later day.

Florian Richard Rutz was born the 18th of 21 children born to Steven and Valeria(Rutz) Rutz in Flensburg, Minnesota, on April 4, 1925. He
graduated from Little Falls High School in Minnesota. He proudly served our country during World War II in the Coast Guard on a troop transport. He crossed the Atlantic Ocean 4 times and the Pacific Ocean 10 times. He was united in marriage to Patricia Korll on September 29, 1948 at Sacred Heart Church in Flensburg. Shortly after their marriage they moved to Greene.

Florian worked for the Rock Island Railroad serving as depot agent in Greene and eventually Marble Rock and Rockford. They started their family when they lived in the apartment on the second floor of the depot.This is where the first four children were born: Teresa, Valeria, Thomas, Patricia. After they outgrew the depot apartment, they moved “up the hill” and had 3 more children: Andrew, Christopher, and Linda.

When the Rock Island closed the 3 depots Florian started commuting to Manly. After the Rock Island went bankrupt he went to work for the Chicago North Western Railroad. The long drives continued, first to Iowa Falls and finally to Mason City. Florian retired in April 1985.

Florian went through treatment for alcoholism in 1976. He helped start the Butler County Alcoholism Center in Allison where he sat on the board for over 20 years. He did a lot of “12th Step” work.

He loved to golf and play cards most of all he loved his wife Pat and “the seven wonderful kids” she gave him.

He is survived by his children and their families: Terese and David Mathiasmeier of Menlo Park, CA., Valeria, Greg and Sid Eggers of Dubuque, Ia., Thomas, Rebecca, Rachel(Matt) and Andy Rutz of Anchorage, Alaska, Patricia, Greg, Lucas, Coralyn and Allison Jones of
Stevensville, Montana., Andrew, Sandra, Spencer (Becca) and Leah Rutz of Klamath Falls, Oregon, Christopher, Gail and Johna Rutz of Eagle River, Alaska., Linda Rutz of Greene. Three brothers: Leonard (Betty) Rutz of Little Falls Minnesota, Edward (Marge) Rutz of Minneapolis, MN and Julius(‘Cille) Rutz of Flensburg, Mn; Three sisters-in-law: Iris (Bob) Surma of St. Cloud, MN., Gerilyn (Sylvester) Wotzka of Little Falls, MN and Marge Rutz of Minneapolis, MN; many nieces and nephews.

Florian was preceded in death by his wife, Patricia, grandson Cody Christopher Rutz, his parents and several sisters and brothers.

The word for the day is “Peace”.

Those planning an expression of sympathy may direct memorials to the Florian Rutz Memorial Fund, 502 W. Traer Apt 14, Greene, IA 50636

Services have been entrusted to Reid’s Funeral Chapel, 519 N. First St. Greene.