Dorothy Rae Rute

One of the area’s prominent woman’s bowlers has rolled her last frame.  Dorothy passed from this life on August 16, 2018.  She was the daughter of Ray and Claire Broadie Lawrence, who farmed in rural Clay County.  She is survived by her son Larry and daughter-in-law Kay Rute of Topeka, Kansas and daughter Victoria Rute of Spencer, Iowa; granddaughter Zoe Rute of Lakewood, Washington; niece Mindy and Bill Owen of Fort Lauderdale, Florida; Mindy and Bill’s son Russ Owen of Minneapolis; cousins Roger and Gary Boyd of Arnolds Park and cousin Bob Broadie of Ruthven. She was preceded in death by her husband, Russell R. Rute in 1972; friend and companion, Orville “Bud” Waimer in 2009 and cousin Ruth Broadie Boyd.

     Dorothy was born on August 13, 1918 on her grandfather’s farm northeast of Spencer, Iowa.  She attended country school, sometimes traveling there on horseback.  She graduated from Spencer High School in 1935 and AIB Business College in Des Moines in 1936.  Dorothy worked for AAA (now ACA) Farm Office in Spencer for seven years.  During that time, she took flying lessons in open cockpit planes, but never flew solo.  Her parents took her to the Clay County Fair to the races when she was just three weeks old and dipped her toes in West Lake Okoboji when she was two.

     Dorothy married R.J. Koch in 1940 and later divorced.  In 1948, she married Russell Rute and lived on the shores of Lake Minnewashta for over 60 years.  She owned The Junk Shoppe full of antiques and collectables.  She worked at the New Inn for over 25 years, managing  Conventions and Reservations.  Dorothy served as Mayor of Arnolds Park from 1990 to 1994, being the first woman elected to that office in Arnolds Park.  Her goal and greatest achievement during her tenure was to improve the Police Department.

     Active in community and civic affairs, she served as President of several organizations and was a lifetime member of the Dickinson County Hospital Auxiliary (now Lakes Regional Healthcare) and the VFW in Spirit Lake.  She was also a member of Calvary Methodist Church in Arnolds Park and the Clay County Garden Club in Spencer.

     An avid bowler, Dorothy participated in the sport for over 60 years.  She bowled a 278 (certified by WIBC), one of the highest scores ever attained in the Spencer Bowling League.  She also bowled several 600s and was inducted into the Spencer Bowling Hall of Fame.  She attended many state and national tournaments, winning first in state doubles sponsored by Atchison Lumber Company.  Her other hobbies including going to Las Vegas and caring for her cats - Harry, Peek-a-boo, Robert, Champagne and Bandy.  She was an avid reader of three daily newspapers and was a formidable Jumble puzzle solver.

     Dorothy donated her body to the University of Iowa Department of Anatomy.  Arrangements have been made with Warner Funeral Services in Spencer, Iowa.  A memorial service celebrating Dorothy’s life will be held at a later date.

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