Jennifer Lynn Rutkowski

Jennifer Lynn Rutkowski, 63, of Bremen, passed away Saturday evening, September 8, 2012, in Memorial Hospital, South Bend, following a short illness

Jen was born April 6, 1949 in Elkhart, a daughter of the late Paul and Bettie (Husted) Forte. She grew up in Elkhart and graduated from Elkhart Central High School. Jen earned as Associates Degree from IUSB.

On August 16, 1969, Jen married Richard “Rick” Rutkowski in St. Vincent Church, Elkhart. For the past 30 years they have made the Bremen area their home.

Jen assisted her husband with the daily operation of his dental office. He practiced for 10 years in Buchanan and for the past 27 years in Niles. She was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Mishawaka where she belonged to the Rosary Society. Jen loved flower and vegetable gardening and in recent years her mini farm. She enjoyed antiquing and garage sales and doing family genealogy.

Jen’s surviving family includes her husband of 43 years, Richard “Rick” Rutkowski, D.D.S., four sons, Aric (Andrea) Rutkowski of South Bend, Adam (Stacy) Rutkowski of Valparaiso, Andrew (Jennifer) Rutkowski of North Carolina and Abram Rutkowski of Niles; two brothers, Paul James (Laura) Forte of Rhode Island and Michael (Connie) Forte of Elkhart; two sisters, Helaine Forte of California and Diane Rush of White Pigeon, Michigan, and three grandchildren, Peter Rutkowski, Gabrielle Rutkowski and Emmaline Rutkowski.

Friends are invited to join Jen’s family for a Mass of Christian Burial which will be celebrated Thursday at 10 am in St. Joseph Catholic Church, Mishawaka, with Rev. Terry Fisher officiating. There is no public visitation.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to St. Joseph Church.

Arrangements are in the care of Goethals & Wells Funeral Home, Mishawaka.