Conelee Rude

Conelee Rude, 85, of Westby, died Sunday, September 14, 2014 Conelee Ellen "Connie" Rude, 85 of Westby, died Sunday, September 14, 2014 at Norseland Nursing Home. She was born August 11, 1929 at the home farm near Cashton to Herman and Eleonora (Paulsen) Johnson. She was baptized at Moen Church and confirmed at Trinity Lutheran Church in Cashton. On June 16, 1954, she married Raymond Rude at Trinity Lutheran. Connie graduated as the valedictorian of Cashton High School in 1947, and from Vernon County Teachers College in Viroqua. She taught in one-room country schools and later taught music in the Westby Area School District. She loved music, giving piano lessons, playing for many clubs and events, and serving as the cherub and junior choir director at Westby-Coon Prairie Lutheran Church for 15 years. She was an outstanding baker and seamstress and her knitting won her many awards, and people loved her afghans, sweaters, baby booties and hangers. Connie loved to entertain: her home was the location of many coffees, dinners and events, and her front porch on Main Street was the place for neighborhood gatherings for 52 years. She was also proud of her record of giving over 14 gallons of blood and volunteering for the Red Cross for 30 years. Connie was active in the ELCW, her church circles, Sons of Norway and the Republican Party. Most of all, she was a loving and caring parent and grandparent. She was named Westby Mother of the Year in 1993, and lived her family commitments to the fullest in every way. She is survived by two children, Brian (Karen) Rude of Coon Valley and Brenda (Mark Jensen) Brady of Fitchburg; grandchildren Erik and Nels Rude and Carly and Justin Brady; sisters Patricia (Carroll) Olson of Westby and Harriet Pearson of Cleveland, MS; nieces, nephews and cousins. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Raymond, her sister Lorrayne, and many brother and sister in laws. The family would like to thank the devoted caregivers of Norseland Nursing Home where she enjoyed her last years. Their care was outstanding in every way. They would also like to thank her lifelong friend Joan Dahlen for her support at Norseland. Funeral services will be held Friday, September 19, 2014 at 11 a.m. at Westby-Coon Prairie Lutheran Church. Pastors Dan and Julie Wolman will officiate with burial in Coon Prairie Cemetery. Visitation will be held Thursday, September 18, 2014 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Vosseteig Funeral Home, 708 S. Hwy. 14 in Westby, and on Friday after 10 a.m. at the church. Online condolences may be offered at www.vossfh.com In lieu of flowers or plants, memorials are preferred to: Coon Prairie Cemetery Assn., The Rude Family Fund at the LaCrosse Community Foundation, Bethel Lutheran Church T.V. Ministry in Madison, Wi, or the Norseland Nursing Home Auxiliary. The Vosseteig Funeral Home of Westby is serving the family.