Obituary of Frances Louise Ruud

Frances Luerssen Ruud passed away April 27, 2023, at the age of 82 in Ocala, Florida.  She was the daughter of Werner and Bertina Luerssen.  Fran was born in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, on June 26, 1940.  She had one brother, Richard, who preceded her in death.  She attended Emerson Grade School and Washington High School.  While in high school, she began working part time for Northwestern Bell Telephone Company, and when she retired in 1995, she retired as a Pioneer.  She also attended Augustana University, majoring in the humanities and education and also became very proficient in swimming and in tennis, her major sport.  While at Augustana she met her future husband, Curtis Ruud, in their class in German.  Upon graduation they were married-she made her own wedding dress-and moved to Minneapolis, Minnesota, where Curtis continued his graduate studies, and Fran worked for Bell Telephone.  Upon completion of his studies, Fran and Curtis moved back to Sioux Falls, where Curtis began teaching at Augustana and Fran resumed her part time work for Bell Telephone.  They had three children:  Randal, Richard, Nicole, and two grandsons: Brandon of Sioux Falls, and Dylan of Orlando, Florida.  Upon her retirement she moved to Ocala, Florida, and lived in the Oak Run retirement community.  Fran enjoyed traveling and camping with her motor home and traveled all over America.  She loved ships and her Viking heritage and hence cruised to many countries around the world.  She had great fun with family and friends, spending fun times at Walt Disney World.  She took great pleasure in reading, especially mysteries and the solving of those mysteries.  She enjoyed the company of friends and family, loved baking, and celebrating the holidays and special occasions by creating epic feasts with family and friends.  She had a fine sense of humor and enjoyed life with gusto, while thinking well and good of all in all her bountiful love.

Fran is survived by her husband, children, and grandchildren.  She was a beautiful, kind, loving, and generous mother and wife and will be missed very much, not only by her family, but also by all those who ever knew her during her wonderful life.  The beautiful and loving likes of her will not be seen again.  She rests among the angels now.

A Memoriam will be held from 10:00 AM until 12:30 PM on Monday, May 8, 2023, at Hiers-Baxley Funeral Services, 9695 SW 110th Street, Ocala, FL 34481, Phone (352) 873-4114.  Burial will follow at 2:00 PM at Florida National Cemetery, 6502 SW 102nd Ave, Bushnell, FL 33513, Phone (352) 793-7740.