Ruth A Kudich

November 15, 1915 - July 25, 2008

Ruth Kudich was a woman of integrity who dearly loved her family and friends. She worked hard to take care of them, and knew there was always a lesson to be learned. Always ready to meet someone new, Ruth was out-going, very friendly and fun to be around. She was truly a wonderful woman.In 1915, the world was focused on the continuation of World War I and times were slightly darker than in previous years. C. Reinhardt and Magdalene (Morck) Andersen were farmers living in Manitoba, Canada, immigrants from Denmark. They had one child to care for already, but looked forward to having many more, and on November 15, 1915 they welcomed their second child into the world. Ruth was a beautiful baby girl, and became one of eight children born to the Andersen household.Ruth was eight years old when her parents decided to move to the United States. Farming had become difficult in Canada, and they had read in the Danish Pioneer about new opportunities in Michigan. In November of 1923, the family crossed the border in North Dakota, and made their way toward Ludington, Michigan. This was perfect for their family because there was a large Danish community to welcome them to the area. Reinhardt was able to continue farming and eventually began working on carferries for the railroad.Growing up, Ruth quickly learned that she needed to work hard to help things run smoothly in the home. She pitched in, helping take care of the house as well as her younger brothers and sisters. She attended many of the rural schools in Mason County with her older sister Gunhild, and graduated from Ludington High School in 1934, finishing in the top three of her class. She soon began working for Wyenberg Shoe Company, and The Star Watch Case. Ruth had wanted to become a citizen of the United States, but found this difficult because there was no record of their family entering the country. It took several years, but in 1944, Ruth was sworn in as a United States Citizen along with her sister Myrtle, and her parents.Ruth loved to go dancing and went to many Bonnie Belmont dances. It was fun for her to meet new people, and the dances were a perfect place for her to do just that. She always said that “strangers are friends you haven’t met.” While attending a dance with friends one evening, she was introduced to a handsome young man named Rudolph Kudich. They fell in love and were married on June 30, 1944 at Bethany Lutheran Church Parsonage in Ludington by Rev. Vernon Hansen.Rudolph was a farmer and the couple settled into a farm in Riverton Township. Soon after their wedding, and long before the bliss of being newlyweds had worn off, Rudolph was sent off to fight in World War II, serving with the Navy. With the end of the war close at hand, he served for one year while Ruth anxiously waited for him back at home.When the couple was reunited they began settling into family life. They welcomed four children into their household: a daughter, Janet, a son, Ron, and twin sons, Dale and Dean. Rudolph continued to farm in Riverton until the opportunity to work for the railroad became available, first on the carferries and later in the rail yards. Ruth stayed busy taking care of the children, running her very busy household and working herself. The children were raised with solid family values and a strong work ethic. They knew that if they got in trouble in school, that they’d be in trouble at home as well; that they were to always give their best in whatever they did, and to never leave a task unfinished. They were expected to do their part, and everyone helped with harvesting fruits and vegetables like strawberries, cherries, corn, tomatoes, beans, and lots of potatoes. Rarely did they enjoy a meal that did not include some kind of potatoes.Along with the hard work, the family knew that their mother knew how to have fun. The family would go camping every year, visiting state parks all over Michigan. They covered ground in a camper hand-made by Rudolph himself. The family’s favorite park was on Otsego Lake in Gaylord. The Morck family reunion, fondly known as "The Gathering of Nuts", was held every other year in Calgary. This was a reunion eagerly anticipated and often attended.Ruth and Rudolph, along with their children, were quite active in 4-H activities. Ruth received many awards for her leadership in 4-H, and for her exhibits at the annual fair. She was avidly interested in many clubs over the years, as a member of the Royal Neighbors, East Riverton Ladies Club, and, together with Rudolph, charter members of the West Michigan Old Engine Club for over thirty years. She served as club secretary and could be found working the registration booth at the annual old engine club show. They were also members of the Vintage Motoring Club of Mason County for over 40 years, where they enjoyed driving their 1937 Oldsmobile in many events. She never lost her love for dancing, and attended many dances held at Riverton Town Hall. She also loved to play cards, especially pinochle, and often took part in pinochle parties. She and Rudolph enjoyed driving all over the state in their motor home, attending Old Engine Shows, often accompanied by granddaughter Lesa, and spent many of their winters in Florida. Ruth cherished the time she could spend with Lesa, who even lived with her while Lesa worked on the carferries for a time.When Ruth retired from the Mason Lake Soil Conservation District in 1981, she had been a dedicated administrative assistant for 14 years. This gave her more time to spend with her grown children and take time to do things for herself. Ruth was also dedicated to helping others; she volunteered at the American Red Cross with the Blood Bank, and later served as the volunteer coordinator. Her hard work was recognized in 2005 when she was awarded the “Exceptional Volunteer Service” award.Ruth was an avid Mason County Central basketball fan, and never missed a radio airing of the game. She did not like to be interrupted while listening, and if someone called during the broadcast, would tell them she would call them back after the game. She was also a Detroit Tigers fan, and enjoyed watching the games on T.V. Ruth could often be found tending to her beautiful flower garden, or spending a quiet moment working on her embroidery. Faith was very important to Ruth and she was a member of Bethany Lutheran Church, practically her entire life- even when she no longer attended services there regularly. While living in Riverton, she attended St. Paul United Methodist Church for many years, but always considered Bethany Lutheran her home.Ruth was a wonderful woman who honestly cared about everyone in her life. She was a dedicated worker, and held strong values for herself and those around her. Ruth died peacefully on Friday, July 25, 2008 at the Ludington Woods Living Center.She was preceded in death by her husband Rudolph on March 13, 1990, her parents, her sister Gunhild in April 1930, her brother Ivan, two infant sisters, her brothers-in-law Howard Harrington and Arthur Sherman, her sister-in-law Henrietta Andersen, and her niece Beth Andersen.Ruth will be greatly missed by her children Janet Rozmarek and her husband Henry of Manistee, Ronald Kudich and his wife Cathy of Westerville, Ohio, Dale Kudich of Ludington, and Dean Kudich and his wife Nancy of Frisco, Texas; her grandchildren Jill Rozmarek and her husband Roque Corpus, Jr. of Grand Rapids, Kari Rozmarek of Manistee, Lesa Rozmarek of Canton, Michigan, Brett Rozmarek of Flint, Jeanne Kudich of Columbus, Ohio, Robert Kudich and his wife Abby of Jacksonville, Florida, her step-grandson David Woodruff and his wife Kathryn of Alexandria, Virginia, her great-granddaughter Lanah Rae Kudich, her step-great-grandsons William Robert and Charles Russell Woodruff, her sisters Myrtle Harrington of Ludington and Bradenton, Florida, and Lois Sherman of Ludington, her brother Lloyd Andersen and his wife Constance of Ludington, her sister-in-law Norma Andersen of Scottville, and numerous nieces and nephews. Funeral Services will be held for Ruth at 11:00 AM on Tuesday, July 29th at the Bethany Lutheran Church in Ludington with Reverend William Huether officiating. Burial will take place at Center Riverton Cemetery. Friends may meet with her family for a time of visitation on Monday evening from 6-8 PM at the Stephens Funeral Home in Scottville and on Tuesday morning from 10:00 AM until time of services at the church. Those who wish may make memorial contributions to the West Michigan Old Engine Club or to Hospice of Michigan ~ Mason County. Funeral Arrangements are being cared for by the Wyman Funeral Cremation Services ~ Stephens Funeral Home.