Amelia Kate “Katy” Rutland

Amelia Kate “Katy” Rutland, 26, of Richland, WA, went home to Jesus on June 11, 2016 in Newport, WA. She was born on June 7, 1990, in Augusta, GA.

Katy was baptized in August 1990 at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Augusta, GA where she became a communing member; she was very active in youth group and came to know Jesus as her personal savior at an early age. Homeschooled on a small acreage farm in Blythe, GA., Katy loved to hike and camp as well as travel with her family throughout the USA.

After moving to Richland with her family in 2001, Katy attended Hanford High School where she played volleyball and softball. She also was very involved in concert band, jazz band, and marching band, playing the flute and piccolo. Katy soon developed her love for reading and writing. She also was in love with her lime green VW Bug, Jake.

Katy went on to college at Central Washington University in Ellensburg, WA, where she majored in English and Music; she was also part of the CHI ALPHA ministry on campus and travelled to various locations on missions. Katy worked in the writing and publication department at CWU and became a tutor and mentor; she was a McNair Scholar. During her college stay at CWU she also was part of the concert band and choir. After graduating Katy became a flutist for the CBC concert band.  

In addition to music and writing, Katy enjoyed being with her family and friends, hiking, and hunting. Her prized hunts included black bear, turkeys, and white-tail deer. She was extremely proud of her accomplishments of graduating with Highest Honors from both Hanford HS and CWU. Katy also performed in the Benaroya Hall in Seattle, singing “Carmina Burana.”

Later on Katy became the lead educator at Terra Blanca and developed and wrote the Wine Blog there. She was recently accepted into graduate school at Clemson University where she planned on studying to be an engineer like her dad.

Katy is survived by her father, Paul; mother, Kim; twin brother, Micah; brother, Mason; numerous aunts, uncles, cousins; and maternal grandfather, Allen Palmer of St. Clairsville, OH.

Our Katy will always be remembered by her infectious smile and laugh, her love for the wilderness, and her love for college football, particularly Clemson and Ohio State. She will be fondly remembered for her love for her family, her devotion to her friends, and her unyielding passion for Jesus!

A Celebration of Katy’s Life will be held at Terra Blanca Winery in Benton City, WA, Sunday, June 19, 2016 at 3:00pm.

Donations may be made to the Children’s Developmental Center, 1549 Georgia AVE, SE; Richland, WA 99352 in honor of Katy.