Eleanor Jo Rutherford passed away peacefully in her home on December 11, 2018 in Minneapolis, Kansas.  Born June 29, 1930 in rural Lyons County. Ks to Herbert and H.Irene (Kerr) Heidrick, Jo graduated from Osage City High School in 1948. She worked as a secretary and a pay roll clerk in Russell, Ks  where she met her husband Edward L. Rutherford.  The couple were united in marriage June 13, 1954 and lived in Tulsa, OK and San Diego, CA before moving to Captain Cook HI in 1966. While in Hawaii, she worked part time jobs as a secretary and a postal clerk.  After the death of her husband, she retired and moved back to Kansas to  be closer to her family.

Jo was passionate about the care of animals, especially her three cats, Misty, Smoky and Chip.  Her love of animals was demonstrated by generous donations to many animal charities. She was also a very talented crafter and spent many hours making unique gifts for family and friends. Especially memorable were the Christmas ornaments she made each year for her nieces and nephews. Along with crafting, Jo loved to travel with her sisters to visit relatives in Texas, Kansas and South Dakota.

Jo is survived by sisters, Marilou Wenthe and Willadonna Anderson, Minneapolis, KS; 10 nieces and nephews, two cousins; and many other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, and one nephew, Mike Heidrick, Sugarland, TX. Cremation was chosen and there will be no visitation. A memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday,  December 15, 2018 at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Tescott, KS.  Memorials can be made to St. Paul’s Lutheran Church or ASPCA and left in the care of Wilson Family Funeral Home, Minneapolis, KS.