| Bio | Margaret Joan Rutter of Corpus Christi, Texas passed away on March 31, 2024, at the age of 81. Joan was born in Toledo, Ohio on October 24, 1942, to Everett LeRoy Smith and Eunice Margaret Smith. Joan’s parents divorced in 1949, so Joan lived with her grandparents in Lockwood, Missouri for a few years. In 1956, Joan moved with her mother to Kansas City, Missouri. When she was 13, she met the love of her life, Jerry Lynn Rutter. She graduated from Van Horn High School in 1960 and married Jerry on June 25, 1960. They were married for almost 62 years before Jerry passed away in 2022. They lived in Columbia, Missouri and then settled in Overland Park, Kansas where she worked at Santa Fe Trail Elementary School in the library. This was the start of a long and happy career working with books and the public. In 1979, the family moved to Mentor, Ohio where they lived until 2002. During this time, Joan worked for Mentor Public Library where she made many lifelong friends. From 2000 until early 2002, Jerry and Joan lived in Derby, England. They loved traveling around England, Ireland, and Wales during that time. Upon retirement in 2002, Jerry and Joan moved to Corpus Christi, Texas where she resided until her death. Joan was very happy to leave the cold winters of Ohio.
Joan had many loves – family, pugs, the Missouri Tigers, the Kansas City Chiefs, and meeting people. She never met a stranger, was always interested in others, and would remember what was going on in their lives the next time she saw them. She also had a great love of reading and enjoyed introducing others to the joy of reading. Working in the library was a perfect job for her. However, her greatest love was her family. She was happiest when she was spending time with her daughters or grandchildren. They were the lights of her life.
Joan was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Jerry, and her parents and nephews Gary Rutter, Craig Rutter, and niece, Cheryl Rutter. Joan is survived by daughters Janet Rutter De Vilbiss (Barry De Vilbiss) and Jennifer Lee Martin (Kevin Martin); grandchildren Katelyn Martin (Sean Daigle), Madison Martin, Tessa De Vilbiss, Jared De Vilbiss, and Reide De Vilbiss. She is also survived by nieces Monica Kroupa, Julie Atkins, Jackie Grove Denton, and nephew William Grove. Joan is also survived by her sister, Judith Sylvester.
A service will be held for Joan at the Viera, 3010 Airline Rd, Corpus Christi, Texas on April 14, 2024, at 1:00 pm in the theater. All are invited to attend.
People wishing to honor Joan can donate to KEDT in Corpus Christi where Jerry and Joan spent many hours donating time and services to support local public radio. You can also honor Joan by buying a book and donating it to your local library. This part was sent to me from Joan’s daughter Jan.
This additional part is from Jean Church Glines: Joan and I were best friends from 8th grade at Van Horn and continued on after graduation. Joan & her husband Jerry Rutter introduced me to my husband Gary Glines. My daughter was born on Joan’s birthday, and sadly my husband Gary passed away on Joan & Jerry’s anniversary. Gary & Jerry were best friends from 3rd grade on. And now Joan and family will live on in my heart forever. Goodbyes are not forever; Goodbyes are not the end. They simply mean I’ll miss you, until we meet again! |
