Eddie Rutt

JOSEPH EDISON “EDDIE” RUTT, age 94 of Waseca died on Sunday, April 28, 2019 at Lake Shore Inn in Waseca.

Born on July 23, 1924 in Le Center, Minnesota, he was the son of Francis “Frank” and Mary (Velishek) Rutt.  He graduated from McKinley High School in Le Center.  Eddie went on to join the Merchant Marines where he served on a liberty ship carrying supplies to Russia during WWII.  He was recently awarded numerous medals from Russia for his service.  Eddie married Adeline Ehmke and they were later divorced.  Eddie then married Dorothy Grams.  He was employed over the years with Central Motors in Mankato and Nordaas American Homes and later A Home of Your Own in Wells.  He enjoyed fishing, hunting, gardening and fixing things.   He was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church-Wilton.

Eddie always loved music and dancing.  He played trumpet and drums professionally with the Harold Picha Band, had his own band, Eddie Rutt and His Orchestra, and played with the St. Peter Drum & Bugle Corps.

He is survived by his wife, Dorothy of Waseca; four children, Vicky (Alan) Kretzschmar of Waterville, Rev. Dr. Douglas (Deborah) Rutt of St. Louis, MO, Terri (Rick) Zirbes of Prior Lake, and Trisi Lee of CA; 14 grandchildren, Michele (Joe) Grose, Scot (Connie) Kretzschmar, Becky (Anthony) Schulz, Sarah (Jonathan) Williams, Aaron (Leslie) Rutt, Christa (Peter) Kileff, Mical (Robert) Hilbert, Ezra Zirbes, Izaiah Zirbes, Izabella Zirbes, Tyler (Dani) Klugherz, Tanner Klugherz, Tiara Klugherz, and Trevor Lee Nguyen; and 23 great grandchildren.  He is also survived by siblings, Donna (Clarence) Ginter of New Prague, Beverly Rutt of Scottsdale, AZ, Jeanie (Henry) McGowan of Brownswood, TX, Gary (Shirley) Rutt of Belle Plaine, and Mary Lou Chadderdon of Marshalltown, IA; and many nieces and nephews.   He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Francis and Kenneth Rutt; and sisters, Estellene Bastyr, LouElla Gustafson, and Dolores Bultman.

Visitation will be held at Dennis Funeral & Cremation Services in Waseca on Thursday, May 2, 2019 from 4-7 PM and continue on Friday, one hour before services at the church.

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