Leonard Rutz

Leonard P. Rutz, 90 year old resident of Little Falls, MN passed away on Sunday, October 23 at his home in Little Falls, MN. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Thursday, October 27 at 11:30 A.M. at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Little Falls, MN with Father Nick Landsberger officiating. Burial will be held at the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery north of Little Falls, MN. Friends may call from 4:00-8:00 P.M. on Wednesday at Emblom-Brenny Funeral Service in Little Falls, MN and from 9:00-11:00 A.M. on Thursday at the funeral home. Parish Prayers will be said at 5:30 P.M. on Wednesday at the funeral home. Military Rites will be provided by the Little Falls American Legion and The Little Falls VFW. Leonard P. Rutz was born May 25, 1921 in Flensburg, Minnesota to the late Stephan and Valeria Rutz. Lenny graduated from Little Falls High School. He then went to training to be a Telegrapher and Depot Agent for Northern Pacific Railroad. He enlisted in the United States Army on August 14, 1942 at Fort Snelling, Minnesota. Lenny was honorably discharged on December 22, 1945 at Camp McCoy, Wisconsin. During his time in the Army, he received the Asiatic-Pacific Theatre Service Medal, Philippine Liberation Ribbon with one Bronze Star and Five Overseas Service Bars. He was united in marriage to Betty Fedor on Saturday, June 24, 1950 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Flensburg, Minnesota. Lenny was a Depot Agent and Telegrapher for Northern Pacific Railroad. He worked for Glendening Trucking Co. as a bookkeeper, St. Cloud State University as a custodian and was a special deputy for Sheriff John Stack. Lenny enjoyed dancing, square dancing, fishing, golfing, gardening, traveling and mushroom, blueberry, raspberry and strawberry picking. He was also a volunteer at St. Otto's Care Center and St. Francis. Lenny will be remembered for being part of the "Donut Crew" at the Little Falls Senior Center. He was a member of the Polish Echo's, VFW, Little Falls American Legion and the Little Falls Senior Center. Leonard is survived by his loving wife, Betty Rutz of Little Falls, MN; sons, William Rutz and wife, Shirley of Jordan, MN, Duane Rutz and wife, Linda of Hallock, MN, David Rutz and wife, Meg of Chugiak, AK; daughters, Mary Kempenich and husband, Robert of Little Falls, MN and Cynthia Rutz of Valpariso, IN; brother, Edward Rutz and wife, Marge of Columbia Heights, MN; ten grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, Stephan and Valeria Rutz; daughter, Susanne Rutz; brothers, Vince, Gust, Anton, Jerome, Sylvester, Florian, Julius, Raymond and Lawrence; sisters, Agnes, Stella, Susan, Gertrude, Blanche, Monica (Minnie), Barbara, Lucille, Dorothy and Mary Ann; grandchildren, Bobby Kempenich and Amelia Rutz. Casket Bearers will be: Greg Kempenich, Dan Kempenich, Jennifer Werven, Miranda Brouwer, Chelsea Romans, Christina Johnson.