Esther Louise Rutan, 100, of North Platte, NE passed away February 27, 2025 at North Platte Care Center with her family by her side. Esther was born on April 9, 1924 to George and Addie (Hunt) Razes in North Platte.
Esther graduated from North Platte High School with the class of 1942. She worked at Coreyll Café for a time. Esther met Melvin Rutan at a dance, and they were married in May of 1948, in Ogallala, NE. They lived in Ogallala before moving to North Platte where Esther and Melvin raised their family, in the home Melvin built. Esther will be remembered as an excellent wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and great great-grandmother. Esther enjoyed cooking, cleaning and entertaining all of her family. Decorating her home and repurposing old items were things she was very good at and enjoyed doing. Esther was always painting, planting or sanding something within her home. Esther enjoyed spending time in her yard gardening and planting flowers. Esther always enjoyed music she was always singing and dancing. Her grandchildren always looked forward to spending time with grandma. Esther’s house was open to anyone and the key place for holidays and dinners.
Survivors include her Children: Charlene (Dennis) Waller, Cedar Falls, IA, Marlene (David) Munoz, Greeley, Colorado, and Darrell ” Sparrow” (Sharon Duval) Rutan, Wellfleet, NE. Grand Children: Michelle (Lee) Knoebel, Dyersville, IA, Kimberly Waller, Cedar Falls, IA, Mark Glaubitz, Tryon, NE, Steven (Lisa) Glaubitz, Randall Glaubitz, Raechal (Einar Golden) Munoz, Guy (Julie) Rutan, all of North Platte, NE, Sonya (Chris) Wright, Wilsall, MT, Jenny (Brian) Schear, Cedar Rapids, IA, Michael (Amy) Munoz, Bennet, Colorado, Bryan (Ashley) Rutan, Omaha, NE, Great-Grandchildren: James Knoebel, Waupun, WI, Stephanie (Tom), Dyersville, IA, Amy (Zach), Holy Cross, IA Emily and Chloe Knoebel, Dyersville, IA, Tiffany Waller, Cedar Falls, IA, Jasmine Lathrop, Waterloo, IA, Jalen Seals, Waterloo, IA, Kaitlyn Schear, Eliana Schear, Sophia Schear, Matthew Schear, all of Cedar Rapids, IA, Amanda Harwager, Nicholas (Alex) Glaubitz, Benjamin (Jazmin Sietz) Clark, all of North Platte, NE, Timothy Shannon, Miami, FL, Connor Wright, Bridger Wright, of Wilsall, MT, Dylan (Claire) Boxler, Milliken, Colorado, Harper Rutan, Coen Rutan, of Omaha NE Great Great-Grandchildren: Corey Smith, Dyersville, IA, Alaina, Blake and Nevaeh McAndrews, all of Holy Cross, IA, Jazlynn, Junior, and Noah Lathrop, all of Waterloo, IA, Brody Clark, Curtis, NE, Dan Harwager, Ethan Ramirez, Emilio Clark, Aurelia Glaubitz, all of North Platte, NE, Quinn Boxler, Milliken, Colorado. Along with many other family members and friends.
Esther is preceded in death by her parents, George and Addie Razes; Husband, Melvin Rutan; Grandson, Angelo Munoz; Grand Daughter-in-Law Jacquie Glaubitz; Great Great-Grandson; Esiah Clark, Siblings, Merle Razes, Lucille Tridle, Bobby Razes, Robert “Buster” Razes, John “Jack” Razes, Dennis Razes, Mary Perkins, Christina “Teeny” Jancarik and Annetta “Nettie” Von Behren.
Funeral services will be held at 11:30 A.M., Thursday, March 6, 2025 at Adams & Swanson Funeral Home with Pastor Danial Ramsey officiating. Visitation will be from noon – 7, Wednesday, with family receiving friends from 5-7, at Adams & Swanson Funeral Home who is assisting the family.