Virginia Joyce Rud

Virginia Joyce Rud, age 82 of Eau Claire, WI (formally of Eleva) passed away peacefully on Monday, July 6, 2015 at Madonna Meadows in Rochester, MN. Virginia was born on June 10,1933 to Melvin and Louise (Wishard) Shelbred in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. She was baptized at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Altoona, WI, confirmed (Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd), and was a member of Drammen Lutheran Church. Virginia graduated in 1952 from Eau Claire Senior High School. On July 25, 1964 Virginia was united in marriage to Archie Rud at Lake Street United Methodist Church in Eau Claire, WI. To this union, two loving sons were born. Virginia had a variety of jobs ranging from working at a dental lab, being employed as a line worker at Sterling Pulp and Paper, and later working for 25 years in the food service at UW Eau Claire. Virginia retired in 2003. Hobbies and activities that Virginia enjoyed were playing cards, mostly 500 and Hand n’ Foot, sharing and receiving recipes, reading devotional books, keeping a diary, taking pictures, saving mementos, collecting angel figurines, and spending time with friends and family. Virginia was also very proud of her Irish heritage. Virginia's mother came to the US from Belfast Ireland when she was fourteen. So, Saint Patrick's day was always special to her. Virginia will be remembered for being a good hostess to guests in her home, for decorating her home with decorations for each holiday, for sending holiday cards throughout the year, for enjoying a good laugh with her family and friends, and as a good, honest and hardworking woman with a strong faith and love for her Lord and Savior. The most cherished part of Virginia's life was her family, especially in her later years, when she became a grandma to two precious granddaughters she loved so very much. Virginia will be deeply missed by her two sons, Melvin and his wife Eileen of St. Nazianz, WI and John and his wife Melinda and their daughters Micaela and Hannah of Rochester, MN; also by nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends. Besides her parents, Virginia was preceded in death by her step fathers John Stallard and Val Mayer, and husband Archie. A memorial gathering of family and friends will be held on Friday, July 10 from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM at the Talbot Family Funeral Home, Mondovi chapel. There will also be a memorial gathering on Saturday, July 11 at Drammen Lutheran Church starting at 10:00 AM prior to the 11:00 AM service. Burial will be at the church cemetery. Condolences and memories may be shared with the family at www.talbotfuneralhomes.com