Sanders County Ledger - Your Best Source For Sanders County News

Former Thompson Falls teacher Frank Henry Rutzke Sr., much beloved and always-right umpire, called his last game Wednesday, January 17. After ejecting cancer once, and then putting up one hell of a fight the second time around, he was finding each extra inning of the game less fun than the last.

Surrounded by family including his prized German Shepherds and his "felonious" therapy cat, Frank heard us talking about how great he looked behind the wheel of his Jaguar, promptly called the game, and left for other adventures. We and all his fans like to think he will be welcomed there by son Michael, and all the other friends and family he's missed seeing through the years.

How Frank loved telling stories! With that in mind, we're going to share his story with you. Check for highlights of the game on his Facebook page or go to http://www.dalyleachchapel.com.

Join us for a celebration of Frank's life at 11 a.m. Saturday, January , at St. Francis Catholic Church in Hamilton, Mont. There will be a reception following the Funeral Mass in the Parish Life Center. Graveside services with Military Honors will be held on Saturday at 1:30 p.m. at Riverview Cemetery in Hamilton.