Elizabeth Marian (VandeBunte) Rutgers

Elizabeth Marian VandeBunte Rutgers, age 95, passed away Thursday, March 14, 2024.  She was the daughter of the late Homer and Winifred (Dendel) VandeBunte and the stepdaughter of the late Robert Gibson.  Elizabeth attended County Normal and then taught school until she married her husband, Gale Rutgers.  Married for sixty-three years, together they operated their dairy and beef farm and raised their four children.  Elizabeth collected property taxes when her husband served as Allegan Township Treasurer.  She enjoyed gardening, cooking and decorating wedding and birthday cakes for friends and family and made numerous quilts for her family.

Elizabeth is survived by her children, Carolyn Rutgers, Ken (Maureen) Rutgers, Diann (David) Mancuso and Pam Rutgers; grandchildren, Cory (Kevin) Margul, Katlin (Brian) Heckman and Joe (Michelle) Mancuso; great-grandchildren, Avery and Harper Margul, Dakota and Laura Mancuso, Kaitlyn (Markwane) Billingsley and Corbin Heckman; one great-great-granddaughter, Ivry Billingsley; half-brother, Larry Gibson; cousin, Van Edgerton; longtime friend, Lorraine Steines; and several nieces and nephews.  Along with her parents and stepfather, she was preceded in death by her husband, Gale; her sister, Mary Tiefenthal; and stepbrothers and stepsisters, Marian, Ethel, Chuck, Geraldine and Wilbur.

The family will receive friends at Gorden Funeral Residence, Allegan Chapel, on Saturday, March 23, 2024 from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM.  Elizabeth will be privately laid to rest with Gale in Hudson Corners Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Wings of Hope Hospice, 530 Linn Street, Allegan, MI 49010.

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