Martha Rude

Monday, March 6, 2017 6:41 pm

Martha Rude, 81, of Decorah, died Friday, Feb. 17, 2017, at the Green Lea Manor Nursing Home in Mabel, Minn. Services were at 11 a.m., Wednesday, Feb. 22, with Pastor Kurt Bockoven officiating. Organist was Shirley Groth. Hymns were “Just As I Am,” “My Hope is Built on Nothing Less,” “The Old Rugged Cross” and “Lift High the Cross.” Honorary casket bearers were all of Martha’s grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Casket bearers were Andy Sollien, Jon Aske, Dale Alstat, Thom Mahr, Kirk Novak, Scott Nelson and Rick Nelson. Arrangements were handled by Schluter – Balik Funeral Home, Decorah. Interment was at Highland Lutheran Cemetery, Decorah.

Martha Olena (Sollien) Rude was born Sept. 10, 1935, to Johannes and Dora (Auna) Sollien in Spring Grove Village, Houston County, Minn. She was baptized and confirmed at Waterloo Ridge Church. Martha grew up in Quandahl, and graduated from Spring Grove High School in 1953. She married Curtis W. Rude July 19, 1953, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Spring Grove, Minn. Together they had three daughters: Cathy, Karen and Debra. She kept books for her husband’s machine shop and worked with him on their dairy farm in Canoe township near Decorah until they sold the cows. She later worked for V&S Variety Store, Town & Country Jewelry Store, and for 25 years as a housekeeper at the Aase Haugen Home, retiring in 2006. In 1996 they moved to Decorah. Martha and Curt moved to Green Lea Manor in Mabel, Minn. in 2011. She enjoyed taking pictures, watching baseball on TV, listening to violin music and playing cards with her grandchildren. Martha was a member of Highland Lutheran Church and the Ruth Circle.

Martha is survived by two daughters, Karen (Joel) Jermeland, Decorah and Deb (Dean) Stortz, Mabel, Minn; sister, Judy Mahr; nine grandchildren: Dawn Zweibohmer, Henry (Renae) Wilkins, Marcia (Matt) Wilkins, Robin Wilkins, Chase Jermeland, Dennise Stortz, Danielle Stortz, Derek (Jenna) Stortz and Danette (Matt) Hoff; great-grandchildren: Caitlin Zweibohmer, Ronnie Zweibohmer, Julia Zweibohmer, Elena Schierholz, Joshua Schierholz, Curtis Wilkins, Hailey Wilkins, Austin Wilkins, Cassie Wilkins, Gavin Wilkins, Dylan Christensen, Westin Beisker, Alexis Williams, Frederick Williams, Brooklyn Nelson, Braylee Stortz, Bryndle Stortz and Bennett Stortz; great-great-grandchildren, Justin and Brooklyn.

Martha was preceded in death by her parents, Johannes and Dora (Auna) Sollien; husband, Curtis Rude, in 2011; daughter, Cathy Wilkins, in 2005; grandson, Justin Wilkins, in 2011; three great-grandsons: Jonathan Zweibohmer, Anthony Schierholz and Anthony Williams; two brothers, Stanley (Gladys) Sollien and Andy (Inez) Sollien; sister, Cora Malick; brothers and sisters-in-law: Gene Mahr, Howard (Irene) Rude, Roger (Gladys) Rude, Cora (Norman) Moen, Norma (Kermit) Mestad, Arlene (Clarence) Moen, Helen Borseth, Otto Nesset and Melvin Borseth.