Howard Storey Rutledge

Howard Storey Rutledge, 91, of Rigby peacefully passed from this life at his daughter’s home in Boise on the morning of April 23, 2012. Howard was born September 7, 1921, in Albion, Idaho to John A. Rutledge and Kathleen Hunt Rutledge. He was one of eleven brothers and sisters. The family moved from Albion to a farm in Acequia where he spent his childhood and early school years. He attended high school in Rupert. At the age of twelve his father passed away. On December 6, 1941 Howard chose to join the Army Air Corps where he enlisted at Fort Douglas, Utah and served during World War II in England as an Aircraft Mechanic. While in England, he met and married Esther Cross from Dundee Scotland in 1944. After moving to Annis, Idaho four children were born to this union; Esther, John, Debbie and Howard. Howard and Esther divorced in 1961. Howard and his companion of 33 years, Phyllis continued to live close to his mother’s home in Rigby. He supported his family by running his business as a Land Leveler; then referred to as a cat skinner, when his equipment was destroyed by the Teton Flood in 1976, he worked for the Idaho Transportation Department until his retirement at age 75. He often commented that he worked 10 years longer than he had to!! Howard will be remembered for his love and caring of animals. Feeding the birds and squirrels and any other animal in need was one of Howard’s true desires. One of his favorite pastimes was catching the “Big One” at Henry’s Lake or at “No Tell’em Creek”! Another was growing a plentiful garden to enjoy and giving fresh vegetables to friends and family. His compassion and caring for others was truly a blessing. Howard chose to spend his last years with his partner and our friend, Norma Pfost. Each one benefited from the other and were truly happy. Howard was a member of the VFW, American Legion, and Eagles. God’s guiding hand was with him until the end. Howard is survived by his children, Esther of Olympia, Washington, John (Cathy) of Idaho Falls, and Debbie (Aran) Nickerson, of Boise, his loving companion of many years, Norma Pfost, twelve grandchildren, eleven great-grandchildren, one brother Curtis Rutledge and many nieces and nephews. Howard was preceded in death by his wife Esther; companion Phyllis Franklin, his parents, five brothers, Wayne, Harold Milton, Junior, and Virgil, four sisters, Marjorie, Ella, Hester and Hazel, son Howard and grandson Aaron Byers. Poem by Cathy Kendell: When you could look forward to the rest of your life, when each day was a new beginning. When you wanted to take long drives and watch the sun set and rise, when you had hardly a care in the world. When you were young, healthy and strong, you look back over the years and wonder, what went wrong? When gradually things began to change and you wondered where and why. The longing for carrying on was floating up to the sky. When you could only walk and no longer run, when you could still talk but no longer shout. When you could breathe and no longer gasp. God looked down upon you and took you in his grasp. Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m., Saturday, April 28, 2012, at Eckersell Memorial Chapel, 101 W. Main Street, Rigby. The family will receive friends from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m., Friday and Saturday, from 11:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. prior to services, both at the funeral home. Burial will be in the Annis Little Butte Cemetery, under the care of Eckersell Memorial Chapel in Rigby.