Winnifred Gene Rutovech

Rutovech Winnifred Gene, 76, died Dec. 14, 2001 at the North Memorial Residential Hospice in Brooklyn Center, MN. A life time resident of the Mpls. area ``Winnie'' was born March 15, 1925 in Chanhassen, MN, the second of 3 daughters of the celebrated Eugene Bernath (Detective Captain of the Mpls. Police Dept.) & his wife, Mabel Regester Bernath. At age 15, Winnie won an honorable mention & public recognition for her entry in a national art contest that drew nearly a half-million entrants. Her artistic talents and creative brilliance continued to be expressed and rewarded throughout her life time, and her independent spirit nurtured and inspired those who adored her. She is lovingly missed by her daughters, Michele Smith Dunn (Tim), and Pamela Smith Riter; and her step daughter, Susan Rutovech Swanson; as well as her grandchildren, Brendan and Michael Dunn, Rachel and Max Riter. She is survived by her sisters, Donna Knop and Beverly Shurtz. She is preceded in death by her husband, Edward Rutovech. No one who knew her escaped her charm, including the nursing staff and volunteers at North Memorial Residential Hospice; and her best friend, Shirley Walter, who all cared for her so tenderly these last months. Memorials preferred to North Memorial Residential Hospice, 4201 58th Ave No, Brooklyn Center, MN 55429

Published on January 6, 2002