Mary Jo Rutten, age 92, of Carroll, passed away Sunday, January 21, 2024 at her home in Carroll after a brief but courageous battle with cancer.
Mass of the Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Thursday, January 25, 2024, at St. Lawrence Church – St. John Paul II Parish in Carroll. The Celebrant will be Fr. Patrick Behm. Con-Celebrant will be Fr. Brian Feller. Music will be by Kathy Halbur and Kathleen Macke. Lectors will be Lindsey Shelton and Holly Janning. Gift Bearers will be Henry Janning, Oliver Janning, and Grahm Janning. Eucharistic Minister will be Joan Rutten. Casket Bearers will be Luke Shelton, Parker Foley, Denny Rutten, Jim Rutten, Allan Rutten and Joe Janning. Burial will be at 2:30 p.m. at Glendale Cemetery in Des Moines, Iowa, 4909 University Ave. Des Moines, Iowa 50311.
Visitation will be held from 9 to 9:45 a.m. Thursday at the church.
Funeral arrangements are under the guidance of the Sharp Funeral Home in Carroll and online condolences may be left for Mary Jo’s family at www.sharpfuneral.com.
Mary Jo, the daughter of August and Serena (Gentile) Spagnolo was born on April 15, 1931, in Des Moines, Iowa. On October 13, 1956, Mary Jo was united in marriage to Gerald Kelley. The couple made their home in Kansas City.
Mary Jo enjoyed entertaining and cooking for friends and family in her home. She was a long-time member of Sweet Adelines. A true entrepreneur, she started several successful businesses over the years. She was a friend to everyone she met.
Mary Jo is survived by her daughter: Kathleen Shelton; grandchildren: Lindsey Shelton, Luke Shelton, Serena Kelley, and Mathew Kelley, JR.; great-grandchildren: Parker Foley and Tai Ana Marie. Also surviving are her step-children: Allan (Cindy) Rutten, Dennis (Joan) Rutten, James (Mary) Rutten, and Lisa (Philip) LaPenna as well as many step-grandchildren and step-great-grandchildren.
Mary Jo was preceded in death by her first husband, Gerald Kelley in 2005; her second husband Richard “Dick” Rutten in 2023, and her son, Matt Kelley.