Mae E. Rude

Mae (Volden) Rude, age 83 of Westby, died on Tuesday, June 21, 2011. Mae (Volden) Rude, age 83 of Westby, passed away on Tuesday, June 21, 2011 in the arms of her loving family. She was born on May 2, 1928 to Norman and Norma (Vangen) Volden in Westby and was baptized and confirmed at Vang Lutheran Church by Pastor J.O. Holum. She attended various schools in the area including Westby High School. Due to hard times, Mae reluctantly left school but later received her diploma at age 57 from WWTC in LaCrosse, an accomplishment for which she was very proud. On May 4, 1944 she married Roy H. Rude and they lived in LaCrosse & Mormon Coulee until 1966 when they moved to the Westby area. Mae was a member of: Westby Coon Prairie Lutheran Church, the W-ELCA, Westby American Legion Auxiliary, and the Westby V.F.W. Auxiliary. She was a Helpline" volunteer for several years. Mae was a well known waitress at Borgens Caf for many years and later the Westby House. She started in the antique business as a hobby, which later led to her working and having a space at the Antique Lantern. Mae had a love for birds, an eye for jewelry and fashion, enjoyed writing poetry, and could always prepare a lovely lunch for visitors. Most importantly, Mae was a loving mother who led by example and taught her children and grandchildren many valuable life lessons that will be carried on forever. She lived her life according to the following quote: 'It's nice to be important, but it's more important to be nice.' She leaves to mourn her passing: six children, Dianne Lavenburg, Sandra (David) Lenox, Jeffrey (Sheila) Rude, Rebecca (Dennis) Nerison, Patricia (Nevin) VanAntwerpen, and Rhonda (Richard) Wemette; 12 grandchildren: Jill (Todd) Moler, Jason (Lauri) Lenox, Antony (Dawn) Lenox, Adam (Lauralee) Fiebrink, Sean, Michael and Heather (Josh) Erickson, Angela (Aaron) Mithum, Abbey (Eric) Lehmann, and Christa Nerison, and Bethany and Brady Wemette; ten great-grandchildren and a blessing on the way; three sisters: Kitty Rogers, Olive (Clifford) Perry and Betty Roth; sister-in-law, Mabel Volden; many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Roy who died on May 29, 2002; two sons-in-law: Todd Fiebrink and David Lavenburg; three sisters: Jane Volden, Janice Overgard and Hazel Larson; two brothers: Eugene and Harold, and four brother-in-laws: Walter Overgard Ted Roth, Fred Rogers and Richard Larson. Blessed be our memory of Mae Rude. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, June 25, 2011 at 2:00 p.m. at Westby Coon Prairie Lutheran Church. Pastor Julie Wollman will officiate with burial in the Coon Prairie Cemetery. Friends may call on Friday from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Vosseteig Funeral Home, 708 S. Hwy 14 in Westby. Friends may also call at the church on Saturday after 1:00 p.m. The Vosseteig Funeral Home of Westby is serving the family.