Obituary: Eunice Seiler Rutherford

September 11, 1931 ~ November 15, 2022

Eunice Seiler Rutherford, 91 years, of Fish Creek, died Tuesday, November 15, 2022 at Door County Medical Center.

She was born September 11, 1931 at her family home in Liberty Grove, the daughter of John and Clara (Miller) Seiler. Eunice graduated from Gibraltar High School with the class of 1949 before receiving her degree in teaching in 1953 from the National College of Education in Evanston, Illinois. Following graduation she and a friend decided to head west to California as teachers were in demand in nearly every town in America. It was there she would meet her husband, and on August 28, 1955 she married Raymond Rutherford in Long Beach, California. They moved back to Eunice’s home area of Door County in 1963 after a Christmas visit when Ray saw the snow and it felt a bit more like his childhood home in Denver. Eunice continued her teaching career at Gibraltar Area Schools by starting the first Kindergarten class at Appleport School. She then taught first and second grade for many years and, as the family joke goes, never got past the 2nd grade. Her teaching career spanned 42 years.

Always looking out for others and their wellbeing, Eunice was instrumental in starting the summer remedial reading program which educated the migrant worker’s children as she noticed they were not able to read and communicate locally with others.

She was an active and dedicated member of the Ephraim Moravian Church.

Her love of history, spurred on by her husband Raymond and his love of history and antiques, led her to be active in the development of the Gibraltar Historical Association and served as it’s long time President from 2000-2010. She was very proud of her part in saving and growing the Historic Noble House in Fish Creek.

She had nearly completed writing her life’s history and trusts that her children can finish that work.

Survivors include her three children, John of Fish Creek, Melinda (Thomas) Logan of Sterling, Virginia, Kathleen (Michael) Sears of Prince Frederick, Maryland; two grandchildren, Sarah Sears and Bryan Logan; and her sister, Eleanor Sunstrom of Sister Bay.

Preceding her in death were her parents, John and Clara Seiler; husband, Raymond; two sisters, Adeline Crum, Alberta Kaminsky; and three brothers, Austin Seiler, Earlen “Butch” Seiler, and John Seiler, Jr.

A memorial service will be held at 1:00 p.m. at Ephraim Moravian Church on Saturday, November 26, 2022 with Rev. Dawn Volpe officiating. A reception for family and friends will follow at the church fellowship area and all are welcome.

Private burial and committal services will be held on Friday, November 25. Eunice will be laid to rest next to her husband at Blossomberg Cemetery.

Memorials may be given in her memory to the Ephraim Moravian Church or Gibraltar Historical Association.

Casperson Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. Sign online register, offer condolences and share photos and memories at www.caspersonfuneralhome.com.