Obituary of Harriett Rutz

Harriett Rutz, currently a resident of Poughkeepsie and a long time resident of Northport and Hicksville in Long Island, entered her eternal rest at Vassar Medical Center on February 1. She was 89. Harriett was born on March 16, 1921 in Weatherly, PA, one of four children to the late George and Hattie Bredbenner Furmanchin. She married her beloved husband, Conrad Strebel on 3/6/1943 in Ridgewood, NY. Conrad passed away on 6/19/1966 in Northport. As a young widow, Harriett devoted her life to the well being of her three children, whom she loved dearly. Later, in 1984, she remarried a dear family friend, Arthur Rutz. She warmly extended her love to his three children. Arthur, a long time resident of Hicksville died on 12/26/1994. Harriett then moved to live with her daughter in Poughkeepsie. Harriett was a devout Catholic with a strong and abiding faith in God. She was currently a member of St. Martin de Porres Church in Poughkeepsie. While in Long Island, she was an officer for The Catholic Daughters of America and The Rosary Society. Her faith proved to be a most powerful medicine in her final days. Harriett is survived by her daughters Jeanne-Ellen DeHond of Poughkeepsie, Marilyn Flood and her husband James of Poughkeepsie, and her son Conrad Strebel and his fianc? Lorraine of Northport, NY. She is also survived by her step-daughters Karen O'Donnell and her husband William of Pauley's Island, SC and Terry Rutz of Delray Beach, FL. She was predeceased by stepson Arthur Rutz of Florida. She is survived by her grandchildren Keith DeHond and wife Catherine of Churchville, NY and Jason DeHond and wife Andrea of Gainesville, VA., Jeremy Flood of Philadelphia, PA., and Maggie, Samantha, Conrad and Michael Strebel of Long Island. Harriett also loved her great granddaughters Bridget, Caitlin and Elizabeth DeHond of Churchville. Harriett is also survived by her loving sister, Dorothy Hudock of Weatherly, PA. and her children, Joan Frye, Patricia Lettie, and David Hudock. Visitation will be held Friday February 4, 2011 from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM at the Timothy Doyle Funeral Home on 371 Hooker Ave in Poughkeepsie. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday February 5, 2011 at 10:00 AM in St. Martin de Porres Church. Burial will be at the convenience of the family in Long Island. The family wishes to extend thanks to the staff of Vassar Hospital fifth floor Nephrology Unit, the Dutchess Dialysis Center and the Arlington Rescue Squad for their dedicated and compassionate care during her ordeal. In lieu of flowers, please make donations in Harriett's name to the National Kidney Foundation , 30 E 33rd St., NY, NY 10016 and/or The American Cancer Society .