Laura Ellen (Wright) Rutherford

Laura Ellen (Wright) Rutherford, age 87, passed away on June 30, 2023.   She was born west of Salem, Indiana on Stevenson Farm on June 16, 1936, the daughter of Will Wright and Lydia Ellen (Chamberlain) Wright.  It was over 100 degrees Fahrenheit that day at a time with very little air conditioning anywhere.

She married John William Rutherford on May 24, 1958.

Laura was a 1954 graduate of Campbellsburg High School where among her many activities was as a clarinetist in its marching band, which competed at the annual Indiana State Fair.  She was a 1958 graduate of Franklin College where she made many lifelong friends and began her lifelong association as a member of Zeta Tau Alpha Fraternity.  She received a Master of Education from Indiana University. 

Laura started her teaching career in Evansville, Indiana, was a substitute teacher in Columbus, Indiana, and spent most of her career teaching sixth grade at Carmel Middle School in Carmel, Indiana.

She was a member of the Wednesday Literary Club of Carmel.   She volunteered for years at the annual Carmel Lions Club Fish Fry.  She also served for many years as the Secretary of the Governing Council of the Carmel United Methodist Church and regularly attended the Empty Nesters class on Sunday mornings.   For many years she was one of the organizers of the annual reunion of the Campbellsburg High School Class of 1954, held at Spring Mill State Park.

She took great pleasure in the success of one of her cousins on her mother’s side, a famous actor.

Laura is survived by her son Mark and his partner Laura Betzinger, her daughter Anne (Rutherford) Brockman and her husband Mike Cook, and Anne’s children and Laura’s grandchildren Mark and Jennie Brockman.  Her husband John William Rutherford predeceased her.

A Celebration of Life will be held Thursday, July 20, 2023, with visitation starting at 5 pm and Celebration of Life services at 7 pm at the Carmel United Methodist Church, 621 S. Rangeline Road, Carmel, Indiana.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Laura’s memory may be made to Carmel United Methodist Church, 621 S. Rangeline Road, Carmel, Indiana 46032, www.carmelumc.org

Bussell Family Funerals is privileged to assist the family in arrangements.

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