Genevieve Rude

Genevieve M. Rude, age 88, of Decorah died Thursday evening, October 22, 2020 at Northgate Care Center in Waukon. In consideration of concerns regarding COVID-19, a Private Family Celebration will be held from 4-6 p.m. Thursday, October 29 at Fjelstul Funeral Home in Decorah. A Private Family inurnment will be held at St. Benedict Catholic Cemetery in Decorah at a later date.

Genevieve Mary (Larson) Rude was born December 5, 1931 in Waukon, the daughter of Marguerite Gertrude (Blake) and Henry Larson. She attended country schools and later graduated from Waukon High School. Shortly after high school she moved to Rock Island, IL and worked for Modern Woodman Insurance.

She later returned to Decorah where she met her husband, Charles Rude, while working at the Cozy Tea Room. They were married February 19, 1955 at St. Benedict’s Catholic Church in Decorah. They moved to Cedar Falls, where they lived for 11 years, and then returned to Decorah.

Gen worked a variety of jobs but her main joy was staying home and taking care of her family. She loved sharing stories of growing up on the farm near Dorchester, and especially loved the “putt putt” sound of her dad’s John Deere tractor. She loved her daily walks to Fareway and her weekly visits to the hair salon. Gen loved baking, especially apple pie, cookies and bars that she would share with her neighbors.  Her Catholic faith was very important to her; she is now reunited with all her loved ones that helped guide her home.

Gen is survived by her five children: Randy Rude (special friend Marcia Ray) of Harmony, MN, Joan (Donn) Smedsrud of Waukon, Sue (Mike) Halverson of Decorah, Mary (Tom) Swinburn of Decorah and Jeff Rude of Minneapolis, MN; six grandchildren: Brandon (Jen) Rude, Shannon (Dan) Gebel, Jeremy (Jessie) Smedsrud, Tim (Nicki) Smedsrud, Emily Swinburn and Tommy Swinburn; 11 great-grandchildren: Sydney, Mitch, Lydia, Alex, Andi, Rachel, Lucas, Mia, Clair, Peyton and Cole; one great-great-grandchild, Leo; five siblings: Kenneth (Sharon) Larson of Dorchester, Rose Ann Williams of Pine Island, MN, Anna Marie (Tony) Danaher of Casper WY, Kathy (Norbert) Kruse of Dorchester and Linda Eiken of Spring Grove, MN; a sister-in-law, Joanne Larson of Waukon; a brother-in-law, Al Ullerich of Guttenberg; her brother Walter’s special friend, Dianne Johnson; and by many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Charles, January 20, 2011; her brothers, Henry, Herbert, Larry, Lowell, Ralph and Walter; her sisters, Alice (Keith) Miller and Karen Ullerich; and her brothers-in-law, Bart Williams and Joe Eiken.

Condolences can be sent in care of Sue Halverson, 1146 250th Street, Decorah, IA, 52101. Fjelstul Funeral Home in Decorah is serving the family. Online condolences may be made at www.fjelstul.com.