Veronica Jean Rutledge was born to Timothy and Wanda Hendricks in St. Maries, Idaho, on Aug. 23, 1985. Roni passed away unexpectedly Dec. 30, 2014, while visiting family in Hayden, Idaho. She was 29 and lived in Blackfoot, Idaho.

Roni married Colt Rutledge on Nov. 25, 2009, in Coeur d'Alene and brought her son into the world on July 22, 2012.

Roni was raised between Minnesota and St. Maries. She graduated high school from Kootenai as valedictorian in 2004. She began her college journey at North Idaho College. Roni joined her love of chemistry and mathematics together at the University of Idaho, where she graduated in 2010 with a double major in Chemistry and Chemical Engineering.

In 2010, she and Colt moved to Blackfoot where Roni began working for Idaho National Laboratories. She worked as a nuclear research scientist and was well-published within the scientific community.

Roni, Colt and their son lived in Blackfoot and spent their time riding Jeeps, touring the U.S., and hunting every fall.

Roni is survived by her husband, Colt, and her son. Surviving family includes parents Tim and Wanda Hendricks of St. Maries; siblings Wade and Jessica of Billings, Mont., Dirk of St. Maries, Tamara and Bryan of Kalispell, Mont., Luke of Billings, Mont., and Andria of Blackfoot; as well as her in-laws Terry and Peggy of Hayden, Idaho; and several aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews.

Roni's funeral will be held at 10:30 a.m. today, Jan. 6, at St. Thomas Catholic Church in Coeur d'Alene, followed by a reception at the hall. She will be buried in Spirit Lake, Idaho.

A Veronica Rutledge memorial fund has been established via giveforward.com. In addition, a college fund has been established for her son via her NIC mentor, Renee Cooper. Please visit Veronica's online memorial at www.belltowerfuneralhome.com.

A life surpassing all expectations.