Beverly J. Rudie

Beverly Jane (Bender) Rudie, 85, of La Crosse, passed away peacefully on April 11, 2024 with her family by her side. She was born to Ival and Verda (Harris) Bender on August 9, 1938. She attended Viola High School and later received her GED.  On February 5, 1955 she married Kaye Don Rudie at the Viola Methodist Church and together were blessed with six children.

 She spent a short time in Wisconsin and later moved to Rockford, IL where she was a homemaker for several years, spending time raising her children and working in the family business.  In 1981, she returned back to Wisconsin and got into the bakery business with family in Viroqua. In the early 1990's she moved to La Crosse, WI, and continued in the family bakery business in Westby. In the mid 1990's, she went to work at the bakery in the Franciscan Skemp (Mayo) Hospital where she spent over 20 years before retiring.

 Bev had a passion for cooking that she got from her mother. Blessing her family with those cooking skills, she made many fabulous meals bringing the family together for Sunday dinners and holidays. She was an avid gardener and spent many hours canning with her family over the years. Reading was her passion, often reading a book a day. She was a cat lover, having many cats over the years, providing her with many great memories.  Bev was frugal, knowing and finding the greatest bargains, being sure to use any coupon available. 

She had a wit and charm that was adored by her family and anyone who met her. As a firm believer in Christ, her faith and sharing that faith with her family and friends was deeply important to her. Bev loved her family dearly and was loved dearly in return. She will be greatly missed.

 She is survived by her beloved children, Deb (d.Tony) Rubasch, Linda (Tyler) Trugillo, Allan (Laura) Rudie, Steven (Barb) Rudie, Mike (Tammy) Rudie.

 She is also survived by 14 grandchildren, Steve (Aneliz) Sipe, Liz (Jesse) Larson, Jeff Sipe, Tim and Erica Rudie, David (Julie) Rudie, Rebekah (Ben) Senn, Melyssa (Kenny) Larson, Donovan Rudie, Rebekah Rudie, Michelle (Mark) Theige, Jalen Mathes, Olivia and Griffin Rudie; 18 great-grandchildren; a brother-in-law, John (d. Cheryl) Rudie; a niece, Shelly Bender; a nephew, Mark (Jill) Bender; and her beloved cat, Harley. 

 She is preceded in death by her parents; the father of her children; a son, Rick Rudie; a brother, Bill Bender and a sister-in-law, Ann Bender. 

 Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday April 16, 2024 at the Seland Funeral Home in Coon Valley. A visitation will be held from 9:30 a.m. until service time. Burial will be in the Viola Cemetery. 

 A special thank you to the Mayo Hospice team for their support and care in honoring her wishes to spend her last days at home surrounded by her loving family and cherished kitty.