Myrtle Rutberg dies at age 106

Myrtle Rebecca Skop Rutberg, who loved all things American, and all things Jewish, passed away Saturday evening, Aug. 8, 2018, one month shy of her 107th birthday. Her achievements in life were many. She sometimes founded and was a member of numerous civic and religious organizations, and was named person of the year at Congregation Ohev Shalom, where she worshiped for over 80 years. Her honors over a lifetime were many and varied. 

Myrtle learned to drive at age 40, and drove well into her 90s. She graduated from Rollins College. She was a mentor and teacher for 90 years of public education, and Jewish education. Besides regular classes she specialized in preparation of special needs boys and girls for bar and bat mitzvahs exhibiting patience and perseverance reserved for the chosen few. Most often done in the setting of her home, desserts accompanied every lesson ever given.

She was born in St. Louis, Missouri, on Sept. 17, 1911, together with her twin brother Arthur Usher Skop, who predeceased her in 1995. They were the youngest children of the family.

Myrtle moved to Orlando from the family's long-time home in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1938 as her brother, Rabbi Morris A. Skop, had become the first full-time in residence rabbi to Congregation Ohev Shalom. He predeceased her in 1985.

She was also preceded in death by her husband, Albert Louis Rutberg, who passed away in 1974, and by infant son Rutberg, her first-born.

She was also preceded in death by her parents, Abraham Louis Skop, who passed away in 1964, and by Flora Necha Pienick Skop, who passed away in 1959. She was also preceded in death by another brother, David Leon Skop, who passed away in 1988, and by her older sister, Miriam Leah Skop, who passed away in 1964.

Myrtle Rutberg is survived by a son, Gerald Sheldon Rutberg, Orlando, Florida, and by a grandaughter, Leah Allison Rutberg, Rochester, Minnesota. She is also survived by nephews and nieces Dennis Mason Skop, Tampa, Florida; Renee Skop, Tampa, Florida; Adena Skop Konigsburg, Coconut Creek, Florida; Eli T.Skop, Coral Springs, Florida; and Shirah Penn, Cooper City, Florida; and by great-nephew Dr. Neal F. Skop, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; great-niece Bonnie F. Skop, Plantation, Florida.  She is also survived by great-nephew Joel Garson, Anaheim Hills, California; and great-niece Leslie Garson Wright, Parker, Colorado. 

Funeral services were held at Congregation Ohev Shalom, on Wednesday, Aug. 22, 2018. If you wish, please give to a worthy cause. 

Funeral services were entrusted to Beth Shalom Memorial Chapel, Orlando, Fla. 407-599-1180.

Heritage has reprinted the article written in November 2016 about Myrtle Rutberg's life, "Myrtle's story-walking through 105 years of life."