Erin Rud
Erin Marie Rud, age 19, of New Albin passed away at Gundersen Health System in La Crosse, WI with her family surrounding her. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday, April 12 at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Caledonia, MN. Rev. Steven E. Meyer and Pastor Paul Burgess will officiate. Burial will follow in St. John’s UCC, Wheatland Church Cemetery, rural New Albin.
A visitation will be held from 4-8 p.m. Tuesday, April 11 at the New Albin Community Center. No visitation will be held prior to the funeral service Wednesday at Immanuel Lutheran Church.
Erin was born January 14, 1998 in La Crosse, WI. She was baptized at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Caledonia, MN and confirmed at St. John's UCC Wheatland, rural New Albin.
She was a graduate of Kee High School in Lansing, Class of 2016. Erin was currently a nursing student at Viterbo University in La Crosse, WI. She loved her job at the Thornton Manor nursing home in Lansing.
Erin was a daughter, sister, granddaughter, aunt, niece, girlfriend and a friend. She has two sisters, Emily Rud and Ella Jean Renk, and two brothers, Eric “Bubba” Rud and Elliott Renk.
Erin is described as vibrant, graceful, talented, brilliant, sweet, caring, ambitious, artistic, a role model, amiable, thoughtful, outgoing, sensitive, pretty, selfless, full of love, gullible, and a hero.
While Erin was in high school, she was involved in everything. She loved sports, student government, volunteering, and being a friend to all. She would inspire everyone to be kind to anyone they would meet. She would say, “you don't know their story and you shouldn't assume you do; get to know someone first before judging.” She has touched many lives and is continuing to do so, as she was an organ donor; April is Donate Life Month.
Erin is survived by her mom and step-dad, Kathy (DeWall) and Tom Renk of New Albin; her dad and his fiancée, Jeff Rud and Kris Holland of Spring Grove, MN; her siblings, Emily Rud, Eric “Bubba” Rud, and Elliott and Ella Jean Renk; her step-brother and sisters, Casey, Lindsey and Heidi; her grandparents, LeRoy and Patricia DeWall of Caledonia, MN, Sonny and Bev Rud of Caledonia, MN and Kermit and Carol Renk of New Albin; her great-grandma, Delores Fetketter of Spring Grove, MN; her nephew, Jace; her step-nephews and nieces; her boyfriend, Travis Colsch of New Albin; and many aunts, uncles, cousins, and many dear friends. Erin was preceded in death by her great-grandparents and an aunt.
Jandt-Fredrickson Funeral Homes and Crematory, Caledonia Chapel, is in charge of arrangements. In lieu of flowers, the family prefers memorials in order to establish a scholarship in Erin’s memory. Online condolences may be left at www.jandtfredrickson.com.
