Gail Rutledge

TAMA-Gail Rose Rutledge was born prematurely on April 19th, 1961, weighing a tiny 2 lbs., 6 oz. She died May 11, 2025, at Sunny Hill Care Center under the care of Iowa River Hospice. Gail will be inurned at Woodlawn Cemetery in Toledo and a celebration of Gail’s life will be held at a later date.

Gail, the daughter of Shirley Bernita (Mason) Rutledge, was born in Iowa City, and spent much of her first few years there, attending her first five years of schooling at the School for the Handicapped in Iowa City. She enrolled in South Tama School District when she was 8, graduating from high school in 1980.

Despite her different abilities, Gail found her adventures. When she was eight, she was the Tama County Poster Child for Easter Seals, riding in the Pony Express Riders’ parade in Des Moines, raising money for Camp Sunnyside for differently abled children from Tama County. In 1974, Gail was chosen as the March of Dimes Poster Child and kicked off the Tama County Walkathon of 98 students; at the event, she was presented with a cake for her 14th birthday. Gail was a whiz at Word Search, loved puzzles, and lived to have her nails done.

Gail loved her family and hearing about all their happenings, from sports to dance, and later, weddings, and babies. She kept an eye out for her neighbors at Sunny Hill Care Center, and made sure her family was kept in the loop! Gail was strong, she was stubborn, and she was a loyal family member.

Gail is survived by her siblings, Earl (Pam) Rutledge, Bernita (Damien) Behounek, Janet Stout, Karla (Steve) Nekola, Nancy Albertsen, and Mark (Sheryl) Rutledge, as well as many nieces & nephews, great nieces & nephews, and one great-grand niece; many extended family members and friends. At Sunny Hill, she leaves behind a special friend and cousin, Susie Rutledge.

She is pre-deceased by her mother, Shirley, grandparents, Earl & Hazel Mason, her nephew, Eric Mathes, and brother-in-law, Dale Stout.

A memorial fund will be established.

Kruse-Phillips Funeral Home, Tama-Toledo, is assisting the family with arrangements.