Jennifer Rutkowski, 63
Born: April 6, 1949
Died: Sept. 8, 2012

Jennifer Lynn Rutkowski, 63, of Bremen, Ind., passed away Saturday evening, Sept. 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 associate degree from Indiana University South Bend.

On Aug. 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; 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 a.m. in St. Joseph Catholic Church, Mishawaka, with the 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. An online guest book with the ability to share memories and condolences with Jen’s family is available at  www.goethalswell.com.