Ruth Rutledge

Ruth was born May 22, 1935 in Ishpeming to Jalmer and Lillian (Jutila) Kujala, graduated from Negaunee High School, Class of 1953, and was a lifelong Negaunee resident. Following graduation, she was employed as a seamstress for H.W. Gossard Company. Ruth married Ward M. Rutledge in 1957 and together they owned and operated W.M. Rutledge and Son Trucking. She also held numerous positions working for K-Mart.

Mrs. Rutledge was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church, Negaunee. She was an avid Nascar and Dale Earnhardt fan, making numerous trips with her family to racetracks around the country. Ruth and Ward also liked traveling to Hawaii and Florida. In her free time, she enjoyed crocheting, gardening, and was an excellent softball player in her younger years. Most of all, she cherished time spent with her family.

Surviving are her son, Steven Rutledge and Robin Tanner, and her children: Todd Kallio and Liisa (Adam) Eutin; sister, Marlene (Reuven) Romback of Negaunee; brother, Leslie Kujala of Turners Falls, MA; sister-in-law, Shirley Kujala of Negaunee; and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Ward in 2005; a brother, William Kujala, and an infant brother, Richard Kujala.

Ruth’s family extends a sincere thank you to the staff of the Marquette County Medical Care Facility and UP Home Health and Hospice for their compassionate care provided.

Funeral services will be held at 12:00 noon on Friday, January 19th at Immanuel Lutheran Church with Rev. Terry Cathcart officiating. Burial will be in the Negaunee Cemetery. The family will greet relatives and friends for one hour prior to services at the church on Friday, and also at a luncheon in the church fellowship hall immediately following. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed in Ruth’s memory to the Marquette County Medical Care Facility.

Mrs. Rutledge’s memorial page may be viewed at koskeyfuneral home.com, where memories and condolences may be shared.