Obituaries

Virginia A. Rude

Died Feb. 20, 2014

SUTTONS BAY – Virginia Ann Rude, 81, of Suttons Bay, passed away on Thursday, Feb. 20, 2014 at the Traverse Victorian Manor with her loving niece (Marge) by her side.

  Virginia was born May 1, 1932 in Leland Township the daughter of Roy and Martha (Anderson) Johnson.  On Aug. 23, 1958 at the First Lutheran Church of Suttons Bay she married Robert Rude who preceded her in death on Dec. 13, 1979.

  Virginia attended kindergarten at the Star School and then attended Leland Public School graduating in 1950.  Virginia helped on her family farm and after marrying her sweetheart, Bob, worked on their farm milking dairy cows and helping in the cherry orchards.  From 1964 to 1990 she was employed as a data processor at the College of American Pathologists computer center (CAP Computer) in Traverse City.  She formed life-long friends with many of her co-workers with her decades of work at CAP Computer.

  She was the past treasurer of the Ladies Society at First Lutheran Church of which she was a life-long member.  Virginia was the current president of the Swedish Mission Cemetery of Good Harbor.

  Virginia loved all animals, especially her cats; and she always took care of the strays.  She will be remembered as a caring and kind person who never complained even with her many health issues.  She enjoyed spending time with family and friends.  She was a special aunt to all and a second mother to Allen & Marjorie (Marge) who lived with and took care of her since January 2011. 

  Virginia is survived by a brother in law Ralph Steimel, niece Kathy (Craig) Omo, nephews Allen (Marjorie) Steimel and Mark (Rochelle) Steimel; a sister in law Mary Holt and nephews Tim, Rob and Jack along with the Baughman nephews and nieces Lynne, Tom, Becky, Elizabeth and Martin.  She will also be greatly missed by her special grandnieces and grandnephews Amy, Dan, Megan, Nick and Jason.

  She was preceded in death by her parents, a sister, Eleanor Mae Steimel, a brother in law, Karl Holt, brother and sister in law, Ed and Betty Baughman.

  Visitation will be held on from 1 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 26 at the Martinson Funeral Home of Suttons Bay.  The funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday Feb. 27 also at the funeral home.  Burial in the Lutheran Cemetery of Suttons Bay will be announced in the spring.  Reverend Paul Fetzer will officiate.

  Memorials may be directed to First Lutheran Church, PO Box 159, Suttons Bay, MI 49682, Cherryland Humane Society, 1750 Ahlberg Road, Traverse City, MI 49686 and/or AC Paw, PO Box 94, Acme, MI, 49610.

  Please share memories with Virginia’s family online obituary at www.martinson.info.

  Arrangements are with the Martinson Funeral Home of Suttons Bay.