Marilyn G. Rutherford

Marilyn G. Rutherford, 82, of Galesburg, died peacefully Sunday, December 26, 2021 in her home. Marilyn was born May 24, 1939 in Boon, MI to Howard and Louise (Ostrander) Batt where she was the youngest of 9 siblings. Marilyn came to the Galesburg-Augusta area with her family in her senior year of high school where she met the love of her life, Marion Rutherford. They were united in marriage August 16, 1958. Marion and Marilyn commenced their life together in the Galesburg area where Marilyn dabbled in a few different career areas including Mom to her eventual 3 children; her favored career choice.

Later in life Marion and Marilyn purchased a small farm outside of Galesburg where they raised many animals including horses, cows, and chickens (many chickens). At this time Marilyn also began a career as a Realtor selling homes. She very much loved this job as she saw it as helping people and she also loved meeting (and talking) to all kinds of people. Marilyn later on established a successful women's clothing business in the town of Galesburg called Teens to Queens. There again she felt she was helping people and was able to meet all different kinds of people.

Marilyn enjoyed her farm and caring for all the animals and also enjoyed gardening and planting (collecting) many different flowers. Most of all, she loved to spend time with her family and especially her grandchildren and great grandchildren. Marilyn loved her family ferociously and without fail. She was the pillar, the rock, the matriarch for sure. There is no doubt her family will miss her presence tremendously.

Marilyn is survived by her two daughters, Karen (LuAnn Elliott) Rutherford and Stacey (Mark) Meyers; six grandchildren; four great-grandchildren and a sister, Dolores Baker. She was preceded in death by her husband, Marion, a son, Bradley Rutherford and 7 siblings.

Funeral services to celebrate Marilyn's life will be 2:00 p.m., Thursday, December 30, 2021 at the Farley Estes Dowdle Funeral Home & Cremation Care, Richland Chapel. Interment will follow at Augusta Cemetery. Visitation will be two hours prior to the service, starting at 12:00 p.m. Memorial donations may be made to Healing Wings Ministries, 10135 Blake Blvd., Galesburg, MI 49053. Personal messages for the family may be placed at www.farleyestesdowdle.com.