Cover photo for Winifred Eva Rutherford's Obituary
Winifred Eva Rutherford Profile Photo
1932 Winifred 2020

Winifred Eva Rutherford

August 16, 1932 — June 19, 2020

Winifred Eva Rutherford, 87, of Topeka, passed away on Friday, June 19th, 2020.

She was born Aug. 16, 1932 on a farm in the St. Bridget Parish north of Axtell, KS of William McBride and Teresa McGrath.  She was the sister of Rose Ann McBride, Sarah Thomas, John McBride, Rita Fisher, Nancy Boose, James McBride, Thomas McBride and Margie Ice.

She attended a one room school house, Pleasant Valley Grade School, and graduated from Seneca Public High School. 

She worked in the Kansas Secretary of State office for more than 30 years and was proud to have been a part of four Secretary of State’s administrations: Paul and Elwill Shanahan, Jack Brier, and Bill Graves.

She married Rob Roy "Pete" Rutherford Jr. on June 21, 1952 at Assumption Church, Topeka.  He preceded her in death April 2, 2001. They had five children, Rob Roy Rutherford III (Janie), Marcia Erickson (Bruce, deceased), Mary Frantz (Jim), Jane Fernkopf (John), and Scott Rutherford (Sue). She had 14 grandchildren and several great-grandchildren.

She was a charter member of St. Matthew’s Catholic Church and a founding member of St. Theresa’s Guild.

She lived her last years at Atria Hearthstone in Topeka and was delighted by the friends she found there, she missed them during the Covid lockdown period. She was grateful for the wonderful caregivers that assisted her.

Services will be Friday, June 26, 2020 at St. Matthew’s Church. Visitation 8:00-8:30 a.m., followed by Rosary and Mass.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Matthew’s Church, sent in care of Brennan-Mathena Funeral Home, 800 SW 6th Ave., Topeka, Kansas  66603.

Online condolences and fond memories may be left at www.brennanmathenafh.com.

 

To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Winifred Eva Rutherford, please visit our flower store.

Service Schedule

Past Services

Visitation

Friday, June 26, 2020

8:00 - 8:30 am (Central time)

St. Matthew Catholic Church

2700 SE Virginia Ave, Topeka, KS 66605

Enter your phone number above to have directions sent via text. Standard text messaging rates apply.

Parish Rosary

Friday, June 26, 2020

Starts at 8:30 am (Central time)

St. Matthew Catholic Church

2700 SE Virginia Ave, Topeka, KS 66605

Enter your phone number above to have directions sent via text. Standard text messaging rates apply.

Memorial Mass of Christian Burial

Friday, June 26, 2020

Starts at 9:00 am (Central time)

St. Matthew Catholic Church

2700 SE Virginia Ave, Topeka, KS 66605

Enter your phone number above to have directions sent via text. Standard text messaging rates apply.

Private Inurnment

Enter your phone number above to have directions sent via text. Standard text messaging rates apply.

Guestbook

Visits: 29

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the
Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Service map data © OpenStreetMap contributors

Send Flowers

Send Flowers

Plant A Tree

Plant A Tree