Katherine Rutherford
March 4, 1905-July 29, 1995
Niles Daily Star (Niles, Michigan), Monday, July 31 1995, page 2, col. 1
Katherine L. Rutherford
1905-1995
first licenced[sic] woman funeral director in Michigan
Funeral services for Katherine L. Rutherford, 90, of 1420 Broadway St., Niles, will be Tuesday at 2 pm. at Pifer-Smith Funeral Home, Niles.
Burial will follow in Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles.
Mrs Rutherford died at 11:59 p.m. at Pawating Hospital in Niles.
She was born March 4, 1905, in Benton Harbor.
On Sept. 3, 1923, Benton Harbor, she married Marion A. Rutherford, who died Oct. 31, 1983.
Mrs. Rutherford as[sic] the first licenced[sic] woman funeral director in the state of Michigan, and worked with her husband at the former Rutherford Funeral Home in Niles. She was also a salesperson for the former Rutherford Real Estate in Niles. She was a charter member and oldest member of the Church of the Saviour, Niles.
Survivors include a daughter, Mrs. Bertil (Elaine) Peterson of Niles; eight grandchildren; several great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.
Visitation is today from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions may be made to Church of the Savior.