1936 – Judith Anne Ruppert – 2019
Judith Anne Ruppert was born on April 4, 1936, in Pipestone, Minnesota to Wendell and Francana (Duke) Keeler. She was educated in Pipestone, before moving to Currie, Minnesota, where she graduated in 1954 from Immaculate Heart-Mary Catholic School. On September 16, 1954, Judy was united in marriage to Orville Ruppert in Pipestone, Minnesota. To this union, nine children were born. The Ruppert family lived in Currie where Judy helped Orville farm until 1967, when they bought a Coast to Coast Hardware Store in Tracy, Minnesota. In 1977, the family moved to Battle Lake, Minnesota and Fergus Falls, Minnesota in 1980. Judy attended Fergus Falls Community College and earned a degree in nursing in 1981. She worked at area nursing homes and volunteered her time praying with residents. The couple moved to Alexandria where she continued her nursing career until retiring in 1992. Judy was an avid reader. She enjoyed working on crossword puzzles, playing Scrabble and having card parties with her family and friends. She enjoyed bird-watching and especially loved cardinals. Her cardinal collection brought her much joy. Judy had a very strong faith and enjoyed weekly prayer groups. Judy died on Thursday, November 14, 2019, at the Evansville Care Center at the age of 83.
She is survived by her sons: Dennis, Sauk Centre, MN; Dean, Spearfish, SD; Bill, Fergus Falls, MN; Brian, Alexandria, MN; Joe (Jamie), Plattsmouth, NE; daughters: Lynn Solberg, Alexandria, MN; Jane (Carl) Burton, Fergus Falls, MN; Hope (Benet) Schulz, Hoffman, MN; and Tammy (Brandt) Johnson, Fergus Falls, MN; 26 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren; brothers: Dick (Judy) Keeler and Jeff (Darla) Keeler; sisters: Betty (James) Gardner, Patty (LaValle) Madsen, Angie (Ed) Smith, and Virginia (Terry) Lacugnato; and many nieces and nephews. Judy was preceded in death by her parents Wendell and Francana; husband Orville; brothers: Jim and Chuck Keeler.
A Mass of Christian Burial was held on Tuesday, November 19, 2019, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Alexandria with Reverend Steve Binsfeld officiating. Interment was at St. Mary’s Catholic Church Cemetery. Arrangements were with the Anderson Funeral Home and Crematory in Alexandria. www.andersonfuneral.net
