David Leroy Rutherford

Services will be held at Jones-Pearson Funeral Home in Park Rapids, MNDate:  Saturday, February 11, 2017Time:  3 PMVisitation will be one hour prior to service. DAVID LEROY RUTHERFORD May 12, 1951 – Feb. 5, 2017                   David Leroy Rutherford, age 65, a life time Park Rapids area resident, unexpectedly but peacefully left this earth for his heavenly home in the early morning hours of Sunday, Feb. 5, 2017 at his home with his loving wife at his side.                 David was born on May 12, 1951 in Pontiac Michigan to George and Arvis (Paulson) Rutherford.  At one year of age, his family returned to Park Rapids where he attended public school and grew into manhood.  At the age of 17, David entered the United States Marine Corps where he proudly served his country based out of Camp Pendleton, CA, San Diego, CA and Okinawa, Japan.  Upon receiving his honorable discharge, he returned to Park Rapids where he gained employment working as a heavy equipment operator for the Sanquist Construction Company.  David was good at his job.  He was often requested to be the one operating the blade on the township roads that the Sanquist’s maintained.  Further he enjoyed his work not only because he was good at it; but, because he considered the Sanquists as family.  He valued Ralph and Todd as some of his best friends and he invested 40 years of his life with their company until his retirement in 2016.  David’s life was fulfilled in his marriage to Katherine Getchell in Watertown, SD on March 6, 1998.  He loved living in Northern MN where he enjoyed the outdoors all of his life.  He loved to hunt and fish the area forests and lakes.  Each spring he would look forward to helping Katherine work in the garden nurturing their vegetables into an abundant harvest.  He was also a voracious reader of Louis L’Amour Westerns.  Above all, David loved spending time with his family; especially his grandchildren and his great grandson.                 He will be lovingly remembered by his wife, Katherine of Park Rapids; his two sisters: Charlis Carroll of Nevis and Linda Kelley of Oklahoma; two brothers: Duane (Kathy) Rutherford of Devil’s Lake, ND and Dale (Teresa) Rutherford of FLA; three step-children: Leslie (Garry) Kruft of Park Rapids, Jerome (Lynn) Iverson of Grand Forks, ND and Sara Sanson of Park Rapids; five step-grandchildren: Crystal (Phil) Hendricks, Cody Kruft, Matthew Barrett, Ashly Sanson and Danny Sanson all of Park Rapids and one great grandson, James Kako of Park Rapids as well as nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.                 David was preceded in death by his parents and grandparents.                 Funeral services will be held 3 PM Saturday, February 11, 2017 at the Jones-Pearson Funeral Home in Park Rapids with visitation beginning one hour prior to the service. Active casket bearers will be: Cody Kruft, Crystal Hendricks, Garry Kruft, Todd Sanquist, Phil Kako, Matt Barrett, Brandon Anderson and Jordan Anderson.  Honorary casket bearers will be: Trisha Gault, Tony Gault, Ashley Sanson, Danny Sanson, James Kako, Chelsey Sanquist and Ralph Sanquist.  Graveside services will follow at the Hubbard Cemetery.  The military honors will be provided by the Star Of The North Marine Corps League.  To leave online condolences or to view the video tribute please visit www.jonespearson.com