Rhonda Rutkowski

Services will be at 10:00 A.M. on Tuesday, May 24, 2011 at Brooks Chapel with Larry Perkins, pastor of Trinity Church of Panhandle, officiating. The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 8:00 P.M. on Monday, May 23, 2011 at Brooks Chapel. Burial will be in Dreamland Cemetery. Rhonda Joy Kersten Rutkowski, a resident of Canyon, lost her battle with cancer on Saturday, May 21, 2011 at BSA Hospice. She was 60 years old. Rhonda was born on May 30, 1950 in Wellington, TX to Ronald and Joyce Neeley Kersten. She was the eldest of three daughters. She grew up in Wellington attended school there until her high school graduation in 1968. She met Sam John Rutkowski, Sr. while they were both attending college in Denton, TX. They were married in Panhandle, TX on August 23, 1969. They became the parents of two children and, in time, settled in Dimmitt, TX to raise their children. After both children were adults and left home, Rhonda and Sam moved to Canyon and set out to create their own "Ponderosa." Rhonda was a hard worker and was well-respected by her colleagues. She retired after many years of dedicated service to ADM Farmland in Hereford, TX. Rhonda was a funny, intelligent, and lively woman who was wholly dedicated to her family. She was a common-sensical mother and grandmother who was always ready with an encouraging word and sound advice. She loved to read and was a wonderful cook. Rhonda was survived by her husband, Sam Rutkowski, Sr.; two children, Rebecca Long, of Commerce, TX and Sam John Rutkowski, Jr., of Canyon; five grandchildren, Alex Hartman, of Canyon, Shannon Hartman, of Commerce, TX, Taylor Rutkowski, of Canyon, Jordan Hartman, of Commerce, TX, and Brett Rutkowski, of Canyon; two sisters, Pam Odom, of Olton, TX and Kathy Kersten, of Amarillo; and a sister-in-law, Diane Forbes, of Panhandle, TX. Rhonda"s family requests that memorials be made to the Don and Sybil Harrington Cancer Center, 1500 Wallace Blvd., Amarillo, Texas 79106, or Baptist St. Anthony"s Hospice, PO Box 950, Amarillo, Texas 79176.