Kathleen Marie Rutkoski, 75, of Butler, passed away peacefully at her home on Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025.
Born on July 28, 1950, in Bellefonte, Pa., she was a daughter of the late Jerry McGrath and Ruth Gray McGrath Wharton.
Kathleen dedicated 30 years of her life to education, working as a teacher in the Butler Area School District.
She was a devoted member of All Saints Parish, St. Andrew Roman Catholic Church, where she was actively involved in the Sisters in Faith and Our Lady’s Rosary Makers.
Her commitment to service extended beyond the church. She volunteered with Meals on Wheels and supported the Golden Tornado Scholastic Foundation’s Kids’ Weekend Backpack Program. Kathleen also had a passion for travel and visited 42 U.S. national parks throughout her life.
She is survived by her loving husband of 53 years, John Edward Rutkoski, whom she married on Nov. 27, 1971; her three children, Erin Wallace and her husband, David, of Oakdale, Pa.; John Daniel Rutkoski and his wife, Lauren, of Buffalo, N.Y.; and Beth Engutan and her husband, Carl, of Moon Township, Pa.
She is also survived by four siblings: Sandra Rishor of Portland, Ore.; Paul McGrath of Flowery Branch, Ga.; Denise Stevenson of Troy, Ala.; and Scott McGrath and his wife, Kim, of Houston, Texas. Kathleen was a proud grandmother to six grandchildren and is also survived by many nieces and nephews.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brother, Gregory McGrath, and her niece, Elizabeth Picart.
Friends will be received at Martin Funeral Home South Side, 429 Center Ave., Butler, on Wednesday, Oct. 29, from 4 to 7 p.m.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday, Oct. 30, at 10 a.m. at All Saints Parish, St. Andrew Roman Catholic Church, 1660 N. Main St. Ext., Butler, with Rev. John J. Baver officiating.
Entombment will follow at Calvary Cemetery Mausoleum.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Meals on Wheels, 218 E. Jefferson St., Butler, PA 16001, or to the Kids’ Weekend Backpack Program, c/o McQuistion Elementary School, 210 Mechling Dr., Butler, PA 16001. Please make checks payable to “Golden Tornado Scholastic Foundation, Inc.” and note “Kids’ Weekend Backpack Program” on the memo line.