Celia Rutledge

A woman who lived a rich and rewarding life, Celia Rutledge touched the lives of so many within her reach in such a significant way. She lived an active life, tirelessly working to serve others whether family, friends, or those in her community. A devoted mother, Celia treasured her children, but she just may have argued that becoming a grandmother, great-grandmother, and great-great-grandmother was her greatest reward. She was a visionary, a woman ahead of her time who experienced great successes in life, yet her grace and humility is to be admired. Although Celia will be deeply missed, her memory will remain forever near and dear to the hearts of those too numerous to count.

The days of the 1920s were some of the most exciting days our nation has ever seen as innovation was taking us to places we had never been. With more commercial radio stations signing on to the airwaves nearly every day, things like news updates, entertainment, and music were reaching more people from coast to coast. There were numerous advancements in both the business and industrial sectors as we celebrated conveniences like washing machines, refrigerators, and movies available in both color and sound. It was during this vibrant time that a young couple from Big Spring, Texas, was thrilled to welcome a healthy baby girl into their hearts and home on September 23, 1925. Baby Celia was one of five children born to her parents, Andres and Juanita (Sosa) Martinez, and was raised in the family home in Big Spring alongside her older brothers, Santos, Nestor, Frank, and Pat. Her father was a railway worker while her mother was a busy homemaker. Tragedy struck early in young Celia’s life with the death of her mother when Celia was still very little. Luckily she had big brothers who were not only very protective of her, but also doted over her as well.

Despite the difficult ramifications of her mother’s death, Celia still maintained her overall joy for living. She loved watching her brothers and cousins play baseball for the Big Spring Tigers, which established within her a lifelong love for the sport. Celia loved to jitterbug, one of her generation’s most beloved dance crazes. She attended local schools, graduating from high school. From there Celia went on to graduate from Parent Beauty School in 1963.

Life was forever changed for Celia when she met the young man who stole her heart. His name was Everett Rutledge, and he had been a soldier in the United States Army who found work on the railroad in Big Spring. After falling in love they were married, eager to begin a new life together. Celia and Everett were blessed with seven children, Louis, Juanita, Jean, James, Peggy, Michael and Patt although Peggy died in 1953.

One of the most valuable things both Celia and Everett taught their children was the incredible value in working hard. She worked tirelessly throughout the day and well into the night until everyone was taken care of and things were put where they belong. In many ways Celia was a woman ahead of her time as she was a pioneer in being a successful woman in the business world. She opened the first Mexican restaurant in Holland and also ran Celia’s Beauty Salon for over 20 years – and this was while also raising her six children! Celia even made time to do the little things like making Dutch costumes for all of her grandchildren and sewing lace curtains for the priests at the rectory. She was a firm believer in dreaming big dreams, often saying, “Make up your mind. Once you decide you will do it.” Celia was deeply saddened with her beloved husband’s death in 1986.

Celia’s journey was greatly enriched in so many ways. For many years she was an active and faithful member of St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church where she was involved in the parish council and a member of the Guadalupanas and the Altar Rosary Society. Celia was also a member of the Knights of Columbus auxiliary, the League of Women Voters. There were memorable road trips to Ohio and Texas to visit with family, and Celia and Everett loved spending time together at their cabin on Big Star Lake. With her love for baseball, she was an avid Detroit Tigers fan.

Although she lived a vibrant life filled with so many of the best things that the world has to offer, there was nothing that mattered to Celia Rutledge more than being surrounded by her many friends and loved ones. She was never concerned about building wealth according to the world’s measure, but set her sights on impacting the hearts of others. Celia was blessed to spend many years with the love of her life by her side, counting each new day as a gift to be unwrapped. A dear woman to many, she will be deeply missed.

Celia (Martinez) Rutledge of Holland died on Wednesday, October 24, 2012. Celia’s family includes her children: Louis (Laura) Rutledge of Holland, Juanita Ramirez of Holland, Jean Rutledge of Holland, James (Anne) Rutledge of Holland, Michael (Janet) Rutledge of Jacksonville, FL, Patricia Bekken and husband Winston Shrout of Portland, OR; 16 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; 3 great-great-grandchildren; brother: Frank Martinez of Parma, OH. A funeral Mass will be 11:00 a.m., Monday, October 29, 2012, at St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church 171 West 13th Street in Holland. Father Charlie Brown will be officiating. Burial will be in Pilgrim Home Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4:00- 7:00 p.m. with wake prayers at 6:00 p.m., Sunday, October 28, 2012 at Mulder Chapel, Dykstra Funeral Homes 188 West 32nd Street in Holland. Memorial contributions may be given to St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church. To sign an on-line registry or leave a memory please visit www.lifestorynet.com.