Ruden, Mrs. Harold (Gracie) 1928-1993

RUDEN, NULL, MCDOUGALL, HILDEBRANDT, WIMER, THUNHORST, LAMB, HODAM, VOGT

Posted By: Janet Schuldt, Volunteer (email)
Date: 10/23/2012 at 13:39:53

Akron Register-Tribune, Akron, Plymouth, Iowa, USA Thursday, March 11, 1993 Page 3-A

Mrs. Harold Ruden

Mrs. Harold (Gracie M.) Ruden, 64, LeMars native and lifelong resident, died Wednesday, March 3, 1993, at her home following a brief illness of cancer. Services were held Saturday at St. James Catholic church in LeMars with Monsignor Michael D. Sernett officiating. Burial was in Calvary cemetery under the direction of Feuerstein Funeral Home, LeMars.

Mrs. Ruden, the former Gracie Null, was born Aug. 22, 1928, in LeMars, the daughter of, Albert and Grace (McDougall) Null. She grew up in LeMars and attended LeMars Public Schools. She graduated from Central high school in LeMars in 1946 and attended Westmar college. She married Harold J. Ruden April 8, 1947, at St. Joseph's church in Sioux City. She and her husband operated Ruden Realty and Auction in LeMars for many years.

Mrs. Ruden was a member of St. James Catholic Church and the Altar Society. She served as church organist for more than 25 years, was a cantor and lector, and served on the church liturgy committee. She was an active member of the Sweet Adelines, serving as international vice president, international secretary-treasurer and was a member of the board of directors, regional and international. She was a longtime Sweet Adelines chorus director and international music judge. She was appointed to the Iowa Real Estate Commission by Gov. Robert Ray and served as his first women chairperson. She had served on the real estate commission for nine years. Mrs. Ruden was active in many community affairs such as LeMars Community Theater and was a co-chairperson for Homecoming "86.

Survivors include her husband; two daughters and their husbands, Linda Hildebrandt and William of Memphis, Tenn., and Janet Wimer and Stephen of Fremont, Neb.; two sons and their wives, Walter Ruden and Patricia of Carrollton, Texas, and Daniel Ruden and Joyce of LeMars; 11 grandchildren; a brother, Russell Null of Rock Rapids; and four sister, Mrs. Kenneth (Marian) Thunhorst of St. Paul, Minn., Mrs. Ruby Lamb of Raleigh, N.C., Mrs. William (Alberta) Hodam of Des Moines and Mrs. Richard (Jeanne) Vogt of Aurelia.

She was preceded in death by her parents; and two brothers, Richard and Delbert Null.