Longtime Iola resident, Merle Irene Dean Rutledge, age 89, passed away of a brain aneurysm on Thursday, January 13, 2011, at Menorah Medical Center in Overland Park, Kansas. Born in Canadian, Texas, on December 17, 1921, she was the 7th child of nine children born to William Aaron and Myrtle (Crawford) Dean. She grew up and was educated in the Canadian area. She met William Wesley Rutledge when he worked on a road construction crew near Canadian. After a happy courtship, they were married on June 28, 1942, in Hedley, Texas. Their early-married years were spent in Booker, Texas where Wesley continued working road construction. Their three sons, Wesley Carroll, and twins Donald Eugene and Ronald Dean, were all born while Merle and Wesley lived in Booker. When the boys were small, Merle began her own business, "The Rutledge Dog House", a town cafe on Booker's Main Street. Some of the best meals were served out of Merle's cafe. She has always been known as a wonderful cook. In 1950, Merle and Wesley moved their family to Southern California. They resided there until the summer of 1955, when they relocated to Iola, Kansas. Wesley passed away on May 1, 1991. Merle operated a laundry service out of her home in Iola for several years. After closing her business, she worked as a cook and waitress at numerous Iola cafes. In the mid-1970's she began employment with Berg Manufacturing and remained there until she retired in 1986. Merle was a hard worker, always going the extra mile in whatever she pursued. A wonderful wife and loving mother and grandmother, her family was the joy of her life along with her beloved dogs. SURVIVORS: 3 Sons: Wesley & wife, Nancy of Centerville, Utah; Don of Iola, KS; and Ron & wife, Connie of Iola, KS 6 Grandchildren: Dawna Rutledge; Jonathan Rutledge & wife, Lindsey; Andrea Works & husband, James; Gretchen Rutledge; Stephanie Splechter & husband, Levi; and Shelly Sheble 9 Great-Grandchildren: Britnee, Ashlynn & Kendall Works; Emily, Alana, Michael & Sheri Middleton; T.J. & Jessica Sheble Special nieces and nephews: Betty Sue Schroeder & husband, Ron; Dale Sandlin & wife, Virginia; Kay Croghan & husband, Jack; Ray Griffin & wife, Brenda; Phyllis Pitts & husband, Ron. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, granddaughter (Sheri Moore), five brothers and three sisters. VISITATION: 2:00-4:00 p.m., Sunday, Jan. 16, 2011, at the Waugh-Yokum & Friskel Chapel in Iola. FUNERAL SERVICE: 1:30 p.m., Monday, Jan. 17, 2011, at the Waugh-Yokum & Friskel Chapel in Iola. The Chaplain Lloyd W. Houk will officiate. BURIAL: Highland Cemetery, Iola, Kansas MEMORIAL: Allen County Animal Rescue Foundation (ACARF) Memorial gifts may be left with the Waugh-Yokum & Friskel Chapel of Iola, which is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences for the family may be left on this website, www.iolafuneral.com.