Obit: Van Hecker-Ruder, Catherine (1918 - 2012)

Contact: Robert Lipprandt

E-mail: bob@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Budimlija, Cullen, Hansen, Kauer, Marquardt, Van Hecker-Ruder

----Source: The Star News (Medford, Taylor Co., Wisconsin) Thursday, February 23 2012, online edition

Van Hecker-Ruder, Catherine (Kauer) (August 26, 1918 - February 17, 2012)

Catherine (Kauer) Van Hecker-Ruder, age 93, went to her Heavenly Father on Friday, Feb. 17 at Willow Haven assisted living in Mosinee. She had resided there the past three years. Willow Haven is owned and operated by daughter and son-in-law, Margaret and Daniel Budimlija and family.

A celebration and memorial service of Catherine's life will be held on Friday, Feb. 24 at 10 a.m. at Good Shepherd Catholic Church in Rib Lake. At 11 a.m., a Christian Mass in her honor will be officiated by Father Otto and family member Deacon Michael Cullen. Burial will be at Lakeview Cemetery following the mass.

She was born on August 26, 1918 in Rib Lake to Maria and Anton Kauer, and graduated from Rib Lake High School. She went on to the Rice Lake area to be the housekeeper for Father John Kauer. She later worked at the Gem Products shoe factory, at Little Bohemia as a cook, worked hard on the farm and proudly raised eight children.

On August 26, 1939 she celebrated her birthday by marrying Lawrence Van Hecker in Rib Lake. They farmed until Lawrence passed away on August 31, 1970. On November 12, 1998, she married Ed Ruder.

Catherine enjoyed watching and listening to her birds, loved to work in her flower beds, read all kinds of books and would put up her feet at night and watch old TV shows. She took an active part in getting together with her friends. She volunteered at the elementary school and was a member of T.O.P.S. and the Christian Mother's Society. On the top of Catherine's list of life's pleasures, she would put the church and her family.

Catherine was a proud mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. Her surviving children are Vernell of Rib Lake, Gaylon (Gloria) of Rib Lake, Therese (Ralph Marquardt) of Big Bend, Bernadette (Ron Hansen) of Oconomowoc, Mary (Spicer) of Missouri, Margaret (Dan Budimlija) of Mosinee, Dan (Denene) of Green Bay, and Yvonne (Gary Budimlija) of Medford. She is also survived by 16 grandchildren and 27 great-grandchildren.

Catherine is preceded in death by her parents; her husband and father of her children, Lawrence Van Hecker; husband, Ed Ruder; brothers, John, Joe, Pete, Tony and Lambert; sisters, Anna, Marie, Rose, Elizabeth and Christine; daughter-in-law Sharon Van Hecker; infant son, Vernon; and infant twins, John and George.

The Best Funeral Home of Mosinee assisted the family with Catherine's arrangements.

May Catherine now be fulfilled by the enjoyment and excitement of Eternal Heaven. Please God, allow her to soar freely like her beloved birds, bring life to others like her flowers, have the feeling of heavenly peace and feel the sincere comfort her family has given her here on earth.

Church: Medford Immanuel Lutheran (Confirmation - 1911)

Contact: Robert Lipprandt

E-mail: bob@wiclarkcountyhistory.org