IN LOVING MEMORY OF
Elaine
Rutledge
August 5, 1946 – June 10, 2025
Obituary
Elaine Horan Rutledge received last rites and passed away peacefully in Fort Wayne, Indiana on June 10, 2025. She was 78 years old.
Born in Cincinnati, Elaine was the daughter of John and Elaine Horan. Her childhood was filled with loving memories of exploits on Appleknoll Lane with her two younger siblings, Terry and Karen. She attended Ursuline Academy and graduated from the University of Cincinnati.
In 1970, Elaine married Stephen Walker Rutledge, her husband of 55 years. Together, they built a truly American life with their two children, Bo and Jordan, in Cincinnati (where both were born), and across the United States, with stints in Arizona, Texas, Missouri and Illinois. For nearly 32 years, they lived outside Chicago where Elaine focused on her family and pursued her passion for fashion and design by supporting her clients at the Merchandise Mart and in antique stores.
Elaine lived for her family. She was the sort of mother who would hit tennis balls with her son on the Cincinnati courts and never missed a milestone event, including when her daughter skied down a mountain during the Middlebury College commencement ceremony! She was a loving godmother to her niece, Mollie.
Elaine enjoyed many interests. She was a talented cook and could prepare a diverse array of meals, reflecting the influence of the myriad places where Elaine had lived. Whether enjoying Cincinnati chili, enchilada casserole from Phoenix or Texas-style Thanksgiving feasts, family and guests always shared a wonderful meal and animated conversation at Elaine's dinner table. A bibliophile, Elaine filled her home with books, whether literature, art or cooking. She had a designer's eye and a trader's negotiating style. On trips to her beloved Santa Fe, she could haggle with street merchants over a piece of turquoise jewelry and then integrate southwestern themes into one of her famous pillows or needlepoints. Combining this life of rich experiences with a prodigious memory, Elaine could recall the faintest detail about an event from years ago, particularly if it involved a loved one.
In 2019, Elaine moved to the St. Anne's Randallia Nursing Home in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Living in Fort Wayne, Steve, Jordan and her family provided loving support over many years. The St. Anne's staff provided her compassionate care, including throughout the pandemic, and grew to appreciate Elaine's grace, beauty and gifts; heartfelt gratitude goes out to the entire St. Anne's team, especially her long-time nurse Jamie Johnson, the Heartland Hospice Team in her final days and, especially, Ms. Ruth Force, Elaine's geriatric consultant, for the unwavering support provided to Elaine.
Elaine is survived by her husband, Stephen, two children (Bo Rutledge and Jordan Rutledge Lockwood), their spouses (Birgit Rutledge-Riel and Andy Lockwood), six loving grandchildren (Anna, Marie, Nina, Franki, Story and Bo), her two siblings (Terry Horan and Karen Horan H'Doubler) and eleven nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that gifts be made in her honor to the St. Anne's Randallia Nursing Home in Fort Wayne.
Elaine will be remembered at a celebration of life that will take place in Cincinnati, Ohio in July.
Born in Cincinnati, Elaine was the daughter of John and Elaine Horan. Her childhood was filled with loving memories of exploits on Appleknoll Lane with her two younger siblings, Terry and Karen. She attended Ursuline Academy and graduated from the University of Cincinnati.
In 1970, Elaine married Stephen Walker Rutledge, her husband of 55 years. Together, they built a truly American life with their two children, Bo and Jordan, in Cincinnati (where both were born), and across the United States, with stints in Arizona, Texas, Missouri and Illinois. For nearly 32 years, they lived outside Chicago where Elaine focused on her family and pursued her passion for fashion and design by supporting her clients at the Merchandise Mart and in antique stores.
Elaine lived for her family. She was the sort of mother who would hit tennis balls with her son on the Cincinnati courts and never missed a milestone event, including when her daughter skied down a mountain during the Middlebury College commencement ceremony! She was a loving godmother to her niece, Mollie.
Elaine enjoyed many interests. She was a talented cook and could prepare a diverse array of meals, reflecting the influence of the myriad places where Elaine had lived. Whether enjoying Cincinnati chili, enchilada casserole from Phoenix or Texas-style Thanksgiving feasts, family and guests always shared a wonderful meal and animated conversation at Elaine's dinner table. A bibliophile, Elaine filled her home with books, whether literature, art or cooking. She had a designer's eye and a trader's negotiating style. On trips to her beloved Santa Fe, she could haggle with street merchants over a piece of turquoise jewelry and then integrate southwestern themes into one of her famous pillows or needlepoints. Combining this life of rich experiences with a prodigious memory, Elaine could recall the faintest detail about an event from years ago, particularly if it involved a loved one.
In 2019, Elaine moved to the St. Anne's Randallia Nursing Home in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Living in Fort Wayne, Steve, Jordan and her family provided loving support over many years. The St. Anne's staff provided her compassionate care, including throughout the pandemic, and grew to appreciate Elaine's grace, beauty and gifts; heartfelt gratitude goes out to the entire St. Anne's team, especially her long-time nurse Jamie Johnson, the Heartland Hospice Team in her final days and, especially, Ms. Ruth Force, Elaine's geriatric consultant, for the unwavering support provided to Elaine.
Elaine is survived by her husband, Stephen, two children (Bo Rutledge and Jordan Rutledge Lockwood), their spouses (Birgit Rutledge-Riel and Andy Lockwood), six loving grandchildren (Anna, Marie, Nina, Franki, Story and Bo), her two siblings (Terry Horan and Karen Horan H'Doubler) and eleven nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that gifts be made in her honor to the St. Anne's Randallia Nursing Home in Fort Wayne.
Elaine will be remembered at a celebration of life that will take place in Cincinnati, Ohio in July.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Elaine Rutledge, please visit our flower store.
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