Thursday, August 13^th, was a fun evening to be in Rutland as the Rutland Community Club hosted a Back to School Party at the Veterans Memorial Park by City Hall. Members of the Rutland-Cayuga Fire Department grilled burgers and hot dogs to feed the kids and adults who came for the event. The kids cooled off in the pool provided by the Fire Department and tossed the water balloons provided by the Community Club. Chalk art designs were drawn on the sidewalk to be admired by all. A scavenger hunt was available for kids and adults alike and the evening ended with fresh smores made at the fire pit. The Rutland Summer Block Party is usually held in June but, due to Covid-19, it was postponed to August.

At 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 15, family and friends gathered at the Rutland Cemetery to lay to rest the mortal remains of lifelong Rutland resident Sharon Pearson. The graveside service was conducted by Rev. Nicholas Rohde, pastor of Nordland Lutheran Church of Rutland. Among those honoring Sharon’s memory during the service were the members of the Bergman-Evenson Unit of the American Legion Auxiliary of Rutland. Following the service of the cemetery, a reception and luncheon were held at the Rutland Town Hall. Tributes to Sharon were presented during the reception by one of her daughters, Debbie Reuter of Fargo; and by 2 of her nieces: Tracy Wyum of Rutland; and Tammy Widmer of Devils Lake ND. Sharon Lee McNeil was born on September 27, 1942 to Vernal & Marcella (Johnson) McNeil in Britton SD. She grew up and attended school in Rutland, graduating from RHS in the Class of 1960. On September 23, 1961 she married Roger Pearson of this community at Nordland Lutheran Church in Rutland. Following their marriage, they lived in Fargo and Hankinson before returning to Rutland to bring up their three daughters. Sharon was active in the American Legion Auxiliary, the Rutland Community Club and Nordland Lutheran Church. For many years she worked in the interior painting business with Phyllis Sjothun of this community. She passed away on April 14, 2020 after a long period of declining health. Sharon was preceded in death by her parents; by three sisters: Marcine Olson; Janet Malstrom; and Loretta Arneson; and, by a brother, William McNeil. Left to mourn her passing and celebrate her life are her husband of 59 years, Roger Pearson of Rutland; three daughters: Debbie (Jake) Reuter of Fargo; Brenda (Roger) Gibbon of Milnor; and, Becky (David) Hicks of Fargo; 8 grandchildren; 22 great grandchildren; 1 sister: Beverly (Harlan) Arneson of Wahpeton; numerous nieces and nephews; and, a host of friends. The Price Funeral Chapel of Britton SD and Forman ND assisted with arrangements. Sharon’s many friends in Rutland will miss her calm good humor and stead presence. 

Mr. & Mrs. Bruce Rohde of Rochester MN were visitors in Rutland on Sunday, August 16. The Rohdes had accompanied their son, the Rev. Nicholas Rohde to Nordland Lutheran Church for the 9:00 a.m. Sunday service. During the service Pastor Rohde played several hymns on the violin accompanied by his father on the piano. Pastor Rohde, his wife, Leslie, and their son, James, are preparing to move to Rolla ND, where Rev. Rohde has been called to serve as pastor to the Lutheran congregation in that community. The Rohde family plans to be making the move to Rolla on Labor Day, Monday, September 7. Pastor Rohde had served Nordland in Rutland and Trinity in Havana as an intern pastor in 1916, and has served the Rutland, Havana and Forman Lutheran congregations as interim Pastor since 2018. The Rohde family’s many friends in Rutland wish them well in their new calling.

The Rutland Community Club will host the next Farmers Market on Sunday, September 13^th and not September 20^th as reported last week. The RCC designated the second Sunday of August and September for the event.

The Rutland City Council will hold the 2021 budget public hearing at 5 p.m. on Monday, September 14, at City Hall that will be followed by the regular monthly meeting. On Tuesday, September 15^th, the Rutland Community Club will hold its monthly meeting at 5 p.m. Everyone is welcome and encouraged to attend.

That’s it for this week from Rutland! Be sure to keep up to date on what is happening in Rutland, like the Facebook page and follow updates on the Rutland website.