Brewster, MN
     Donald Lee Rutzen, 77, was born on July 2, 1936, in Worthington, MN, to Frank and Mae (Pierce) Rutzen. He attended District 45 for 1st-6th grade; during the 6th grade he attended school in Harrison, Arkansas for 6 months. Then he returned to Brewster Public School for 7th-12th grade and graduated in 1955. He got a job for a few farmers for a year and then joined the Army for a year. He was honorably discharged due to a family hardship in 1958 to be guardian of his two younger brothers. Donald married Carol Burnham on December 26, 1960. He was a member of the Church of Christ in Worthington. Donald worked at Crystal Glass from 1958-1971 and Minnesota West College from 1990-2001 when he had his stroke. He was a farmer all his life until he was forced to stop in 2004 due to health reasons. Donald died at the family farm surrounded by his family on Saturday, April 26, 2014.
     Donald is survived by his wife, Carol; daughters, Cindy (Daniel) Erickson, New Brighton, MN; Christine (Michael) Weaver, Liberty, MO; and Carmen (Brian) Johnson of Brewster, MN; fourteen grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren with one on the way, Karen (Matt) Hakeneis, Dillon, Dustin, and Devon, Avoca, MN; Kathy (Dan) Ehlinger, Julia and Maeble, Centreville, VA; Anna (Josh) McGinnis, Melody, Harmony, and Cadence, Kearney, MO; Kayla (Elliott) Krizek and one on the way, St. Paul, MN; Anthony (Alexa) Johnson, Worthington, MN; Robert Weaver, Madison and Michael, Heron Lake, MN; Heather Erickson, St. Paul, MN; Jennifer (Timothy) Sather, Spirit Lake, IA; Mara (Joshua) Niedermayer, Fridley, MN; Amber Weaver, Paulsboro, NJ; Katy Johnson and Carter, Worthington, MN; Nathan Erickson, New Brighton, MN; Ryan Weaver, Liberty, MO; and David Weaver, Liberty, MO; three brothers, Dale (Irene) Rutzen, Mankato, MN; Dennis (Jeanie) Rutzen, Pelican Rapids, MN; and David (Wanda) Rutzen, Worthington, MN; and nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, one sister, and one granddaughter.
     Funeral services will be held on Friday, May 2, 2014, at 10:30 a.m., at the Worthington Christian Church, with Pastor Doug Roth officiating. Burial will be in the Hersey Cemetery near Brewster, MN.
Visitation will be held on Thursday, May 1, 2014, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., at Benson Funeral Home in Worthington and also one hour prior to the service on Friday at the church.
