Mary Ruth Rutledge, age 98, went home to be with the Lord on January 18, 2026, surrounded by her loving family in Greenleaf, Idaho.

Mary was born on May 12, 1927, in Fort Cobb, Oklahoma. In 1949, she moved to California with her husband, Audrey Rutledge, and their six-month-old son, Larry. In those early years, Mary and Audrey traveled for work and lived in a tent until they were able to afford a room, building their life through perseverance, faith, and hard work. Mary would go on to live in Northern California for 70 years before later moving to Greenleaf, Idaho.

At the age of eight, Mary became a Christian, beginning a lifelong walk of faith that remained steadfast to the very end. Her love for the Lord shaped every part of her life and was evident to all who knew her.

Mary had a deep passion for teaching children about the love of Jesus. She faithfully served in church ministries and lovingly led a Good News Club in her daughter’s home for neighborhood children in Sacramento, California. She read her Bible daily and often shared that, no matter how many times she read God’s Word, she continued to discover something new each time. Proud to serve the Lord, Mary joyfully shared her faith wherever she went, even witnessing to strangers at the bus stop.

Mary is survived by her children, Linda [Larry] Rutledge, Stephen (Cheryl) Rutledge, Mary Besso, Barbara Broughton, and Brenda (Louie) Kapalczynski; 20 grandchildren; 33 great-grandchildren; and 18 great-great-grandchildren. Her legacy of faith, resilience, and devotion to the Lord will continue through the many generations she leaves behind.

Mary Ruth Rutledge lived a life of faithful service and trust in God. She will be deeply missed and joyfully remembered until the day her family is reunited with her in heaven.