Lorene Rute

Lorene Rute was born March 30, 1907 in Primghar, Iowa, the daughter of Alfred Ogle and Rosa Crooks. She grew up on a farm and was a graduate of Spirit Lake High School. Lorene attended junior college in Estherville, Iowa and then onto Iowa State Teachers College in Cedar Falls. After graduation, she taught in rural schools in Westport and Milford Township and then at Schaller, Iowa until marriage. On June 20, 1924, Lorene was united in marriage to Joseph Ira Rute in Rockwell City, Iowa. Together they farmed west of Milford until retiring in 1974, then moved to the current home. She was a cook at the Okoboji Consolidated School, cleaned cottages at the lake in the summer, but most of all was a farm wife. A member of the Union Memorial Church, Lorene was also a leader in 4-H for many years, as well as a member of Okoboji Township Boosters Club and Milford Garden Club. In her spare time, she enjoyed her family, quilting and tatting. Lorene died December 30 in the Spencer Municipal Hospital. Lorene is well loved by her daughters, Joan Beck of Auburn, CA and Nancy (Ben) Grimmius of Spencer; son, Tom (Donna) Rute of Oakland, CA: grandchildren, Lynn (Paul) van Schilfgaarde, Susan (Hal) Holding, Bill Beck, Laura (Robert) Kissler, Greg (Eixa) Grimmius, Steve (Dawn) Grimmius; great-grandchildren, Diana, Ryan, Stephen, Sarah, Grace, Ellen, Sarah, Adam, Gregory, Ben, Melanie, Melinna, Kaitlynn, and Jenna; sister, Dorothy Kaiser of Archer, IA; many nieces and nephews. Preceding Lorene in death were her husband, Joe; sisters, Lela Rush, and Helen Cook; brothers, Harley Crooks and Glenn Crooks; and son-in-law, Bob Beck.