Margaret Rutz

Margaret Lucile (Markie) Rutz was born in El Paso, Texas to Bernhardt (Ben) and Louise Charles Rutz.  Her family moved to Albuquerque, NM, when Markie was 5 years old and to Alamogordo, NM when she was 9.  She graduated from Alamogordo High School in 1951 and the University of New Mexico with a BS in Physical Education & Biology in 1955.  Markie completed a MS in Exercise Physiology and Counseling at the University of Oregon in 1961. In the late '60s Markie did post master's study in Physiology of Exercise and School Administration at the University of New Mexico. 

Markie taught Physical Education and Health Education and coached girl's sports at the secondary level for Alamogordo, Las Cruces and Ruidoso public schools. For several years, she was Director of Summer Recreation Programs in Alamogordo. 

In 1969, Markie began a 24 year career with the New Mexico Department of Education in Santa Fe, serving as a content area specialist, a program coordinator, and Director of Accreditation for Public, Private and Home Schools. In this capacity, she was responsible for the accreditation of schools and programs throughout New Mexico, and also for monitoring the activities of local boards and administrators for compliance with regulations and subsequent assumption of management of local school districts until compliance was attained. 

She retired in 1993 after 38 years of public school teaching and administration in New Mexico. Markie's primary task after retirement was that of caregiver for her parents who lived in Placitas, NM. She continued a life-long abiding interest in New Mexico women's sports. Her personal sports interests were tennis and golf.

Markie was preceded in death by her parents; her sister, Lois, and brother-in-law, Frank Harrington. She is survived by a brother, Charles and wife Nancy Rutz; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins; and long-time good friend, Mary Sittel of Alamogordo. Also, Markie was especially appreciative of her helpful neighbors, the Elder Family.

She had a special fondness for her canine friend, Rascal, and the several other dogs that came before him...Shadow, Buffy, Poco, Oso, Bernie, Hugger, and Beau. 

Markie was loved and will be dearly missed by all of us. A memorial service and interment will be held Saturday, May 18, 2024, 10:00 a.m. at Terrace Grove Cemetery, 1200 Aragon Rd in Belen.