Melissa Anne Rutherford
Melissa Anne Rutherford
Obituary
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Melissa Rutherford Obituary
This obituary was originally published in the Star Tribune.
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December 4, 2024
Hi Mel, just thinking of you. You were my soul sister and I know we would have been close friends for life. I miss you dearly and wish you were here
Natalia Ribbe
October 28, 2020
Hi Mel! You've been on my mind so I wanted to pop in and say hello. Every now and then I'll go through my old photo albums and reminisce about all of our fun times together... from working the candy lines to getting "promoted" to The Merge at Minter waaay back in the day. And of course going out to clubs and flirting with hot guys on Friday and Saturday nights! Remember that time your car ran out of oil and died on the way to Mirage? You said "don't worry, the oil light's been on for like 3 days now and nothing's happened!" Ha-ha! There we were in our mini skirts and high heels stuck on the side of the road, with creeps pulling over to try and offer us a ride! We were sooo wild and crazy back then but I'm really glad I have all those memories to keep forever! I miss you my friend! A big thank you to the Rutherford family for keeping this guest book available.
Natalia Ribbe
April 27, 2018
Melissa, my dear old friend. Every time I hear the Alman Brothers' "My Sweet Melissa" I think of you. You were one of my favorite people and I want you to know that I think of you often. I really miss our shenanigans and wish you were here to share many more good times. Miss you!!
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Tanya Weiland
March 8, 2009
Mom,
I would like to say these few things: I miss you more than anything!! You will always be missed by anyone who knew you, but always know you’ll be especially missed by me. I’ll never forget how awesome of a mom you were. I always keep you in my prayers.
To those who typed in this guestbook, thank you. When I read all of them I cried. I cried because I realized how many people knew and cared about my mom. God bless you all.
Thank you Greg and Carol for taking Tyler and I in your care. I’m glad my mother wanted us to live with you. Thank you God, for accepting our mom into Heaven. I know you did this God for the very best.
Mom you my angel and I’ll never forget you or the way you loved me.
Love you lots, your daughter,
Tanya
Tyler 2007
March 7, 2009
Tanya 2008
March 7, 2009
Melissa Rutherford
March 7, 2009
Melissa, Tyler and Tanya
March 7, 2009
Tracy Henning
August 6, 2007
melissa,
I'm so sorry Its taken me so long to write you something in here, I grew up with you and we were at one point pretty close, but the years kinda made us drift apart from being friends, and Im sad they did, cuz I never even got to meet your two beautiful kids, I came to your wake with my new husband rick, and he helped so much that day, cuz you were my age and it was hard for me to except you were gone..I hope you are at peace and have no more pain, I lost my husband rick 5 months later, we were in a motorcycle accident, I was lucky enough to survive, but Rick was not, maybe you guys could meet, I know you'd like him, He was a awesome man.. you take care melissa..I miss ya..
your old neighbor/friend Tracy..
maiden last name was Oien
Renee, Kevin, Joe and Brendan Rutherford
August 10, 2005
We are sorry this has taken so long to have the courage to do. We've known we wanted to add our thoughts..here goes!
Melissa, you were really something! Your strong will, your determination and your courage were all evident throughout your life and your battle with the breast cancer. You never once talked about losing your battle - you truly believed you would win this fight of your life; eventhough I broke down several times when we would talk about it. You were the strong one, the one who helped to calm me down. I don't know how you managed that but you did. You acted fearless, but inside I know you had to be worried too. I wish we would've had time to get closer. It seems like "adulthood" was just beginning for us. Because Kevin and I have been together for so long - your relationship and mine was just getting going. We learned a lot from each other, and we have wonderful memories. I will never forget that big, beautiful smile of yours - as everyone else remembers how you could light up a room! You are truly amazing, and you are always in our hearts, always!
Rest in peace knowing that your wishes are carried out - Tyler and Tanya are adjusting to life without their Mom "Angel" as Tanya puts it. Greg and Carol are so wondeful and are doing a great job raising those two! You made a very wise decision to appoint them, you could not ask for anyone better. We may not understand why you had to go away, but we cherish the time we had with you and your mark on the world and your children, family and friends will live on forever!
We love you and miss you,
Renee, Kevin, Joe and Brendan
Jan Anderson
June 14, 2004
I just learned of Melissa's death last week on June 8th. I met Melissa at a Young Survivor's Support Group last fall. My sister, Sandy, also has breast cancer and I was attending the meeting with her. Melissa touched both our hearts. She was such a sweet, kind person and tried so hard to be positive about her health situation. I know it was hard for her to be at the meetings with Stage IV breast cancer when most of the women were and still are in the earlier stages, but she still tried to be positive. I have a friend who owns a clothing boutique in downtown Minneapolis who did a benefit for breast cancer research last fall and I asked Melissa to model in it. We wanted to have several models who were currently dealing with breast cancer or had survived the disease for many years. Melissa was more than willing to take part in it and she did such a nice job modeling. I last talked to Melissa in early December when we discussed her getting another opinion from another oncologist about her treatment plan. I knew she had an appointment set up for December 12th at the University of Minnesota and she told me she would give me a call after the appointment. I didn't hear from her and tried several times throughout December, January and February to reach her, but then thought that she probably wasn't up to talking so thought I shouldn't keep bothering her. Just last week, I decided to give her one last try and found that her phone was disconnected. I got a bad feeling, but I don't know anyone in Melissa's family or any of her friends. Just because I had such a bad feeling, I checked the obituaries on the internet and found that Melissa had passed away in March. I felt like I'd been socked in the stomach. I so wish I could have seen her again to tell her how she touched my heart in the short time I knew her. I was a single mom myself for many years and have always had a place in my heart for single moms and to meet someone like Melissa who was also struggling with a life threatening disease just broke my heart. I'm so saddened that I'll never hear her sweet voice or see her big smile again. I would give anything to see her one last time and tell her how much she meant to me in the short time I knew her. I would welcome the opportunity to talk to any family member or friend who would like to contact me. I can be reached at 612-667-1091 (my work number) or 763-421-0225 (at home). I feel blessed that I knew Melissa, but I have such an empty feeling now that I have learned of her death. She was a very special lady and I share the sorrow of all of her friends and family who have signed this guest book.
Glen Robb
March 14, 2004
I worked at Minter for many years with Melissa. She had the ability to brighten my day without even realizing it, whenever I was down on myself thinking how bad things were for myself, just the presence of her smiling face or happy voice on the phone made me realize that things weren't that bad after all. How she could work full time, be a single mother, and deal with other adversities she had and still be the type of person she was amazed me. I respected her greatly for that and I don't think I ever told her. I wish I could have.
Kathy Stevenson
March 12, 2004
As a teenager, Melissa was my babysitter. I remember how excited I was when I knew she was coming over to watch me and my 2 brothers. She was always very good to us. Harry, Carol, Melissa, and Kevin came out to my family's cabin once in their big camper. I think I wanted to stay in the camper rather the cabin. I am deeply saddened to hear this news, as I wasn't aware of her condition. My heart goes out to all of her family and friends, but most of all to her children. I myself am a young single mother now. She must have had the most incredible strength. From what I have read here, it sounds as though she was an angel. The most comforting thought is that she is in a very special place now and will be taken care of forever. May God bless all of you at this time.
Mia WazWaz
March 11, 2004
Melissa, I Loved talking to you everyday on the phone at work. You were the best Minter-Weismann rep. there ever was! Not once, did you ever mess up my order, and I will miss you so much. I remember the first time you visited me, You came in with a big smile, and I want you to know you will never be forgotten. You will be missed! With Love
Dawn Reynolds
March 11, 2004
God Bless Melissa and all that new her. I worked with Melissa at Minter Weisman. I remember that she was a very bubbly and outgoing and wonderful person. She would help or do anything for anyone. One of the things that I remember about her was that she liked things that resembled animals prints, like a lamp shade, computer cover and clothes. She was loved and will be missed by many.
Mary Lou Pfingsten
March 11, 2004
I hope you still remember me from Trivilla. We worked a long time together Carol!
My deepest simpathy and may God bless you.
Brittany Raap
March 11, 2004
I have learned a lot from my aunt Melissa, such as not to take advantage of what I already have, and to live my life to the fullest. She was very beautiful and even though she became very sick she didn’t lose that at all. When she would walk into a room it would glow. It really did hurt me to see her in so much pain. I never told her how much I cared about her or that I loved her until that day when I left school early to visit her in the hospital, a half hour later I put a blanket on her to warm her up and whispered “I love you”. That very moment she passed away and you could feel that glow in the room. I wish I wouldn’t have waited until the last minute to express how much she meant to me, but I’m very glad that I didn’t miss my chance. I don’t believe she’ll ever be forgotten.
Melissa, I’ll really miss your bright smile and laughter. You taught me so much, weather it was about cosmetics or taking things for granted. I don’t think you could’ve picked a better couple than my mom and Greg to raise your children. You are in my prayers! I’ll miss watching mtv and scanning magazines for pictures of Ashton Kutcher with you!
**Lots of love!!! ** ~Brittany~
Greg Rutherford
March 11, 2004
I want to thank everyone for their support and assistance with Melissa and her battle with breast cancer. I would like to send a special thank you to: Fairview Northland Hospice staff and the Fairview Northland Hospital nursing staff for all of their loving care they provided to Melissa and our family. To Wendy Heath of Immanuel Lutheran Church for her continued care, love and support to all of our family. To everyone at Core-Mark International of Plymouth, Minnesota for their devoted care and support of Melissa. Again, thank you to everyone!
To my little sister Melissa, I love you and I will miss you. I cared so much for you, and for your happiness in life. I tried to help you when you needed me most. I’m sorry I had to lose you so soon with so little time together. I know there was a reason for all of this. We talked about your needs for your children, and as I promised, I will do my very best for them.
Our last conversation was hard for both of us, but as I promised, I will follow your wishes to raise your children the best that I can. They do understand that it was your time to be with God. I will always let them know how much you loved them. They will not forget you. I will teach them the things you wanted them to know and to be as loving a person as you were. To accept life for what is given to us, the opportunity to grow and not take life or others for granted.
Your suffering is now over and you are in a better place. It was not the way that you wanted it to be, but we both knew what the outcome would be. We set our goals for the future of Tyler and Tanya, and now it is time for you to rest in peace, and for all of us to continue our own journey.
I Love you and I will miss you,
your brother,
Greg
Lorna
March 10, 2004
Melissa was a very strong spirited young woman who knew what she wanted out of life and for her family. Any one who knew her is blessed to know the heart shaped smile and the drive she had in life. The privalge to know Melissa was to know the strength that life can give you. My heart goes out to her children, her family and friends. May they always dance in her love.
EDIE FREDERICK
March 10, 2004
I THOUGHT I WOULD LIKE TO SHARE A LITTLE I KNEW OF MELISSA. I WORK FOR CORE MARK IN THE SALES FIELD. MELISSA WAS ALWAYS ON THE OTHER END OF THE PHONE WITH MYSELF AND OUR CUSTOMERS. I NEW MELISSA OF COURSE BY BEING IN THE OFFICE ON OCCASION AND SHE WOULD ALWAYS SAY SOMETHING NICE OR WANT TO JUST TO HAVE A LITTLE SMALL TALK.. WHAT I REALLY WANT TO TELL YOU IS A STORY OF A CUSTOMER OF MINE THAT OVER THE PHONE WITH MELISSA REALLY HAD FELT (THROUGH THE PHONELINES) WHAT A SWEET CARING ABSOLUTELY WONDERFUL WOMAN SHE IS. MY CUSTOMER CALLED MELISSA TO PLACE HIS ORDERS. HE ONLY WANTED TO TALK WITH HER. ONE DAY I WENT INTO HIS STORE AND HE ASKED WERE MELISSA WAS???? HE HADNT KNOWN ABOUT THE BREAST CANCER. I BECAME CONCERNED AND MADE A PHONE CALL WHEN I LEFT HIS STORE.. IWAS VERY VERY SADDEN BY THE NEWS. THE NEXT WEEK WHEN I CALLED ON THE STORE OF COURSE THE CUSTOMER ASKED OF MELISSA, I TOLD HIM WHAT I NEW, THE TEARS IN BOTH OUR EYES WERE WATERFALLS, AS HE IS A SINGLE FATHER AND I A SINGLE MOTHER. WHEN I HEARD OF MELISSA PASSING ON MONDAY ONE OF THE FIRST PEOPLE I CALLED WAS MY CUSTOMER. YOUR DAUGHTER, SISTER , AUNT. NEICE, AND MOST OF ALL YOUR STRONG BEAUTIFUL LOVING MOTHER WILL BE MISSED BY HER FRIENDS FROM COREMARKMY PRAYERS ARE WITH ALL
EDIE FREDERICK #22
COREMARK INT.
Brett & Annie Rutherford
March 10, 2004
This person who was my sister, daughter of my parents. She was a good friend and a wonderful mother of two sweet children. She battled the cancer with all her might, today her battle has ended.
I want all to know that she had more heart,courage and spirit, than any person I have ever known. She never showed fear in the face of her demise.
Melissa will be in my thoughts forever, as my little sister who I used to carry on my shoulders. May her spirit rest in peace.
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