Rev. Mary Lou Rutgers, born October 13, 1948, in Houlton, Maine left her earthly home and was welcomed into her heavenly home on May 8th, 2022, surrounded by her loving family. Mary Lou was a pastor in the Nazarene church for more than 35 years, planting several churches in Michigan and Wisconsin. Mary Lou was actively involved in the Central Wesleyan church over the past 10 years and was a member of the choir, led small groups and Sunday school classes, and served where God led her. She is preceded in death by her parents, Edwin and Elizabeth Carver Alexander, brothers Ralph Alexander and Glen Alexander, sister Ruth Smallwood, nephew Bill McDevitt, and grandson James Jay Alexander Rutgers. Mary Lou is survived by her husband of 49 years, Glenn Jay Rutgers, children; Mark (Katie) Rutgers, Rachel (Bob) Scroggins, Benjamin (Emily) Rutgers, Matthew (Amy) Rutgers, Sarah Rutgers, Joshua Rutgers, and foster daughter Jenniffer (Earl) Boushley. Mary Lou is also survived by 19 grandchildren as well as her sister Anne Dawson.
Mary Lou was known by many names including wife, Mom, Grandma, Nana, Ma, Aunt Mary, Aunt Mary Lou, and dear friend. She was known for being compassionate, caring, loving, and giving her entire life. She always looked to the needs of others before herself which laid the groundwork for amazing relationships with her family and strong, long-lasting friendships with people who came into her life. All these personal attributes were influenced and impacted by her relationship with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Every day, Mary Lou lived out Jesus’ commandment found in Matthew 22:37-39: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind…and love your neighbor as yourself.” Simply put, love God and love people. She has run her race well, especially these last seven years as she has battled nine different cancers. We have confidence we will see her again in heaven where she will be waiting for each one of us. We are sure she will be ready to play a game of Boggle, put together a puzzle, bake some bread or bagels, go on a walk (but you have to keep up), share stories, have some laughs, or make a quilt or two. Mary Lou will be deeply missed but if you are like our family, we are so happy God chose us to do life with her over the past 73 years. And as she always said to us, “This is not goodbye, just see you later.”
Visitation will be from 6-8 pm on Wednesday, May 11th, at Yntema Funeral Home, 251 S State Street, Zeeland MI 49464. The memorial service will be at 12 noon, Thursday, May 12, 2022, and also at Yntema Funeral Home. Interment will be at the Overisel Cemetery.
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