Edward Charles Rutherford

Edward Charles Rutherford, 68, returned home to our Lord on September 27, 2021. He was currently a resident of Henderson, Nevada and a longtime resident of Fort Collins, Colorado. Ed was a native Coloradoan, born in Hayden on May 15, 1953, and raised in Craig, where he graduated from Moffat County High School. Early in his career, Ed worked for a Big 6 accounting firm in Albuquerque, New Mexico, where he met his wife, Patricia Eileen McCormick. They were married in Craig before relocating to Fort Collins, where they raised their five children. The family suffered an enormous tragedy when Patricia was killed by a drunk driver in May 1990. Ed was an extremely dedicated father, and despite his tremendous loss, he made numerous personal sacrifices to support his children and maintain a strong family. Ed worked for nearly 30 years for Larimer County Human Services and was also a past president of the National Association of Government Defined Contribution Administrators. In 2017, Ed retired from the county and relocated to Henderson, NV where he lived in the Lake Las Vegas community. He instantly made many strong friendships there, with his magnetic personality and genuine care for others. Ed has been a longtime avid golfer, and in recent years he developed great enjoyment from the game of pickleball. Ed’s Catholic faith was at the core of his being, and he led others to Christ by his powerful Christian and moral example. In addition to his faith, his family was always Ed’s most important priority and the source of his greatest happiness. Everyone who met Ed was soon to be treated to multiple stories where he bragged about his five children and their spouses and gushed with pride in being Bapa to his 23 beautiful grandchildren. Ed leaves a legacy of love and happiness. He was always seen with his trademark giant smile on his face, and instantly drew others to him with his quick wit and warm and welcoming personality. Ed had an enormous love for life and living moments to their fullest. His joyful and contagious laugh will long ring in the hearts of those he loved. Ed is survived by his 5 children, Sean (Julie) Rutherford, Sarah (Chris) Lindgren, Ellen (Mike) Doherty, Andrea (Luke) Vercollone, and Caitlin (Cole) Emerson; his sisters, Barbara (Ken) Martin, and Marlene (Jerry) Sutherland; and brother, Larry (Fran) Rutherford; He will be greatly missed by his 23 Grandchildren; Jacob, Patrice, Maddie and Caela Rutherford; Connor, McKenzie, Dylan, Aiden and Teagan Lindgren; Emily, Ariana, Addie, Jackson and Kolbe Doherty; Augustine, Gemma, Estella, Zaylee, and Sebastian Vercollone; and Tavian, Felicity, Beckett, and Ephrem Emerson. He was preceded in death by his wife, Patricia Rutherford, and his parents, Ralph and Marie Rutherford. A Rosary will take place at 7:00 p.m. on Monday, October 4, at Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church in Windsor. The Mass of Christian Burial is planned for 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, October 5, also at Our Lady of the Valley. Ed will be interred at a private ceremony with his family present. He will rest at last beside the love of his life, Patricia Rutherford. The Mass will also be streamed online for those who cannot attend in person. Steps to watch service online: Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/ourladyofthevalleywindsor/ • Friend Our Lady of The Valley, Windsor, CO • It will prompt you to join/login o Click “not now” • Click on “Live” YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=video+olv •Go to youtube.com • Search “Video OLV” Memorial contributions may be made to: Knights of Columbus Council #11575 1250 7th Street Windsor, CO 80550