Gwyenne Rutt Obituary

Former longtime Durango resident Gwyenne Tornblom Rutt died Friday, April 8, 2011, in Cheyenne, Wyo. She was 91.

Mrs. Rutt was born to Carl F. and Edna N. Tornblom on Aug. 7, 1919, in Wahoo, Neb. Her family moved to Durango when she entered high school for her father to be a receiver at a local bank during the Depression. Mrs. Rutt graduated from Durango High School in 1937.

She received her nursing training at St. Mary's Hospital in Pueblo and worked as a registered nurse in Denver until her retirement in 1979.

In 1942, she married Elmer Rutt in Denver. The marriage ended in divorce in 1950.

After moving back to Durango, Mrs. Rutt became an Avon representative. Mrs. Rutt was a member of Avon's President's Club for 23 consecutive years.

Her family said Mrs. Rutt was a member of the Christian faith and Cheyenne After Five, an affiliate of Stonecroft Ministries. She attended the Ignacio Community Church while living in Durango.

She was a member of the La Plata Chapter of the Order of Easter Star in Durango.

Mrs. Rutt enjoyed reading and belonged to a sewing club the members laughingly called "Stitch and Bitch."

Mrs. Rutt moved to Cheyenne with her daughter's family in 2006.

Mrs. Rutt is survived by her daughter, Sheryl R. Swilling, of Cheyenne; brother Dale Nelson Tornblom of Colorado Springs; three grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.

Cremation has occurred. Private family services will be held.

Memorial contributions may be sent to the Transportation Fund, c/o San Juan Basin Shrine Club General Account, P.O. Box 45, Durango, CO 81302.

Online condolences may be sent at www.schraderfuneral.com.