George S. Rutter

George S. Rutter, age 93, of Moorhead, MN, died Wednesday, October 31, 2012, at River Pointe of Moorhead.

George Stafford Rutter was born March 3, 1919, in Minto, ND, the son of Harvey and Martha Rutter. He was raised in Michigan, ND, and graduated from Michigan High School. George then continued his education at St. John's University in Collegeville, MN. In 1941 he enlisted in the U.S. Army serving during WWII. Upon returning from his time in the service, George attended NDSU in Fargo where he received his Bachelor of Architecture degree in 1951.

On April 20, 1944, he was united in marriage to Mary "Arde" Reilly in Michigan. They made their home in Fargo and in 1955 moved to Moorhead, to the home George designed. After receiving his architectural degree, he began practicing at Seifert and Stasko Architects in Fargo. He later opened his own practice in Moorhead where his primary design focus included churches, schools, and a number of local projects, including the Presbyterian Church Moorhead, additions to MSCTC and Moorhead Fire Stations. In 1981, they moved to Macon GA, where George continued to practice architecture with a fellow graduate from NDSU, Henry Corsini. They returned to Moorhead in 2004.

George participated in many local organizations, including the Knights of Columbus, where he earned the honor of Grand Knight, the Sertoma Club, the Elks and the DAV. He was very active in his church in Moorhead and in Macon. He was also a member of the American Institute of Architects and the 164th Infantry Division Company L.

During his service time, he began pencil sketching and carried the "hobby" into his later years creating beautiful sketches that created his "gallery" in his home where he loved to share his work with others. He was also an avid bowler and while living in Georgia he enjoyed the luxury of his favorite pastime, golf.

George was an honest and hard-working man. He was also the best dad in the world and dearly loved his family.

He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Mary "Arde"; his children, Marcia (Larry) Ramthun, of Eagan, MN; Bradley (Ginny) Rutter, of Moorhead; Jayne (George) Rutter-Kane of Moorhead and Mary (Tim) Nugent, of Dilworth; grandchildren, Bryce (Stephanie) Ramthun, of Bloomington, MN; Jonathan Rutter, of Philadelphia, PA, and Jamie (Derrick) Johnson, of Dilworth; great-grandchildren, Emma Ramthun, Andrew Worm, Rylie and Neelie Johnson; sisters, Alice Mckinnon, of Grand Forks, ND, and Lillian Trapp of Spokane, WA; brothers-in-law, Jim (Florence) Reilly of Missoula, MT, and Tom (Louise) Reilly of Orofino, ID; and many nieces and nephews who loved "Uncle George".

He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Hilary, Edward and Carl; and sister, Mildred.

Visitation: Sunday, 3 PM to 5 PM with a Prayer Service at 4:30 PM in Korsmo Funeral Chapel, Moorhead.

Funeral Mass: Monday, November 5, 2012, at 3:00 PM in St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church, Moorhead.

Interment: St. Joseph's Catholic Cemetery, Moorhead.

Following the service at the graveside, guests may join the family at River Pointe, 2401 South 11th Street, Moorhead, for coffee and time of fellowship.

Memorials may be directed to Hospice of the Red River Valley and St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church. The family would like to express a word of thanks to the VA Staff, Hospice and the care staff at River Pointe for the kind compassionate care.