“One thing I've learned is the very proud culture of deaf people,'' she says. “Technology has really helped them and now there isn't much any of them can't do anymore.

“I remember when the pool was built here at the school and how they now send kids home every weekend. There has been a world of changes - all for the good.''

Rutten is married to John Rutten, who retired from teaching at Devils Lake High School about six years ago. The couple had three children, including twin daughters.

John once worked for CARE and traveled the world, resulting in all those stops in foreign countries. His final transfer was to have been to the country of Chad, but when the Ruttens discovered there were no schools there, they decided to return to Devils Lake - on a one-year basis.

“We had to have a school for the kids, and we got back here and never left,'' Rutten recalls with a smile. “And we've never regretted it. I think this place is the best-kept secret in Devils Lake.

“The committment by the staff to the students and the wonderful students makes it a great place to work. I'll definitely have a lot of fond memories from here.''

Rutten has taught middle school science and worked on speech with the kids. She's been involved in auditory training which helps students use their hearing aids to aid in maximum hearing potential.

That, Rutten says, has helped alleviate the misconception that all hearing aid kids are totally deaf. She's worked with cochlear implants, which is hearing surgery to further help the kids.

The past winter was a tough one for Rutten and her family. She lost her own mother, and Heidi, one of the twin daughters, is on the road to recovery from breast cancer. Heidi lives in San Jose, Calif. and Marji in Stolten, Wisc.

Those factors may have played into her decision to retire and enjoy life to its' fullest.

She says she plans to listen to music in her free time, try her hand at fly fishing, play bridge, cross country ski and spend time with her family.

Linda Kuenemann, who has worked closely with Rutten the past number of years, says she will be missed.

“She's a wonderful lady, a good mentor and a real go-to person,'' Kuenemann says. “We're going to miss her.''

By Mike Bellmore
http://www.devilslakejournal.com/articles/2006/05/16/news/news01.txt