Connie Rutherford

Connie Ann Rutherford, daughter of the late Joan Nelson was born February 7, 1956 in Alva, Oklahoma, and passed away February 11, 2020 in Derby, Kansas at the age of 64 years, 4 days.

Connie graduated from Alva High School in 1974. She attended Northwestern Oklahoma State University for one semester. She was married to Richard Rutherford of southern Woods County, Oklahoma on January 2, 1975.

They made their home all over the United States with the U. S. Navy. They were stationed in San Diego, California; Groton, Connecticut; Hayward, California; Port Hueneme, California; and Roosevelt Rhodes, Puerto Rico. During this time, Connie was a dental assistant and certified to take dental x-rays.

After 5 years, they moved back to Alva, Oklahoma where they welcomed their two daughters, Dana and Mika. Connie stayed at home with the girls while Rick got his degree at NWOSU.

After many more moves with the Public Health Service, they made their home in Derby, Kansas where Connie worked as a nurse para in Derby Public Schools until she retired in 2007. She spent many years working with children’s ministry sharing her love of Jesus with kids and their families.

She was happily married to the love of her life, whom she called her hero, for 45 years. Her absolute joy in life was her family, especially her grandchildren. She enjoyed crafting, shopping, working with children, and listening to King & Country.

Her legacy in life is love: love for Jesus, love for her family, and love for giving to others.

She was preceded in death by: her mother, Joan Nelson; uncle, Bill Wunschel; and grandparents, Tom and Celesta Howell and Elmer and Florence Dimmick.

Connie is survived by her husband, Rick Rutherford of Derby, Kansas; daughter and son-in-law, Dana and Andy Bartel and grandchildren, Peyton and Keagan of Derby, Kansas; daughter and son-in-law, Mika and Sean Roark and grandchildren, Calli and Colbi of Olathe, Kansas; sister and brother-in-law, Kelly and Butch Miller of Bartlesville, Oklahoma; brother and sister-law, Billy and Lisa Dimmick of Alva, Oklahoma, and numerous nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, and cousins and many friends.

Memorials have been established with Ronald McDonald House in Wichita and St. Jude Children’s Hospital.