Ann J. Ruder age 83 of Wisconsin Rapids, died peacefully, Sunday, January 15, 2012, surrounded by her loving family at Riverview Medical Center in Wisconsin Rapids.
Funeral services will be held at 11 AM. Wednesday at St. Lawrence Catholic Church in Wisconsin Rapids. Rev. Timothy Welles will officiate. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery in Wisconsin Rapids. Friends may call at Ritchay Funeral Home in Wisconsin Rapids on Tuesday from 4-7 PM. and Wednesday at the church from 10-11 AM. A parish prayer service will be held at 7 PM. Tuesday at the funeral home. Memorials designated in Ann’s name will be used for Masses.
Ann Ruder
She was born Anna Julia Molepske on May 22, 1928 to John and Julia (Skrzat) Molepske in the family farmhouse in Rudolph where all 10 of the Molepske children were born. Ann was the youngest of 10 children, her mother Julia died when Ann was 10 and she was lovingly raised by her remaining family especially her sister, Irene who stepped into the motherly role.
Ann married the only love of her life, Herbert Ruder, on July 27, 1946 at St. Lawrence Church in Wisconsin Rapids. They shared over 50 good and happy years together. Herbert passed away November 1, 1997.
She attended Lincoln High School in Wisconsin Rapids. She was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother and homemaker. Ann was a lifelong member of St. Lawrence Church. She was active in the St. Lawrence Parish Council of Catholic Women, Catholic Daughters of America, and various church functions including many years of fish fries. Ann was also a member of the American Legion Auxiliary #9, VFW Auxiliary #2539, and Wood County Homemakers. Ann volunteered at the Tomah Veteran’s Hospital and the Veteran’s Home at King.
Ann loved polka music and was very proud of her Polish heritage and instilled that pride into her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Ann loved to cook and bake and passed down the old Polish recipes to her children and grandchildren. She loved being surrounded by people, the more the better. As her family and friends would gather at her cottage, she proved to be a wonderful hostess. There was always plenty of food for more family and friends.
Ann is lovingly survived by:
Her daughter, Diane (Thomas) O’Shasky of Rudolph and their two daughters, Charissa (Lawrence) Lager, and three great grandchildren, Holten Peters, Jonathan and Tristan Lager, Leigh (Jeff) Bouchard and three great grandchildren, Waylon, Josalina and Arianna Bouchard.
Her son, Daniel (Mary Kay) Ruder of Green Bay amd their three children, Matthew Ruder, Molly (Jay) Mueller, Jenna (Shaw) Liljequist and two great grandchildren, Kai and Siri Liljequist.
One brother, Henry Molepske, 1 sister-in-law, Helen Molepske, many wonderful nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews, and many other dear friends and relatives.
Ann was preceded in death by her husband, Herbert, parents, 5 brothers, Stanley, Louie, Edward, Clarence and Joe Molepske, three sisters, Mary Mroz, Helen Hopp Jadeck, and Irene Stelmacher and sisters and brothers-in-law.
Thank you to the staff at Marshfield Saint Joseph Hospital and Marshfield Clinic, Riverview Medical Center staff and the very helpful and supportive palliative care department. A special thank you to the wonderful staff at Cedar Ridge in the Wisconsin Rapids Care Center and all the loving concern showed by friends and family.
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