Arlene Ruth Rudi

Arlene Ruth Rudi, 96, of Glidden, Iowa passed away peacefully July 20, 2020 at Hospice House of Mercy in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Due to the pandemic a private family burial will be held at Merle Hay Memorial Cemetery in Glidden. Arlene Ruth Elliott was born August 24, 1923, in Webster City, Iowa, to Harold and Clara (Christenson Elliott). She was raised on a farm in Hamilton County and graduated from Webster City High School in 1940. After attending normal school, Arlene and her sister Shirley taught school in Denver, Colorado, during the war. She then started her Iowa teaching career in a one room school house. After graduating from Iowa State University in 1946, Arlene moved to Glidden, Iowa, to teach Home-Economics. She married Frederick Rudi, Jr. on August 17,1947, at Peace Lutheran Church in Glidden with Reverend Frederick Rudi, Sr. officiating. Arlene taught Home-Economics, Science, and Chemistry for 14 years in Glidden. The Rudi/Moorhouse backyards were always full of neighborhood kids, and she enjoyed her children's music and sports activities. Arlene loved to play couples bridge, sew Swing Show costumes, and have coffee on the back porch with her friends. After Fred retired from the Post Office, they had fun summers at their cabin on Woman Lake in Minnesota with their many friends and the yellow boat. During the winters they traveled with Jack and Marion Elston, sailing in the Bahamas and the Virgin Islands for 11 years. After Fred passed away in 1995, Arlene kept busy helping others. She was a longtime member of Peace Lutheran Church where she was still active in Ladies Aid and the quilting group. She enjoyed Entre Nous, swimming, and traveling. She attended all of her grandchildren's high school and college graduations. Arlene was preceded in death by her husband as well as her parents, her sister Shirley Picht, and 2 brothers, Wendell and Marvin Elliott, all of Webster City. Arlene is survived by her three children. Sue (Ray) Gibeau of Atlanta, Georgia, Fritz (Barb) Rudi of Plainfield, Vermont, and Debbie (John) Friesz of Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Arlene had six grandchildren and nine great grandchildren. Randall Gibeau of New York, Jason and Kate Gibeau (Braden, Alex, Amelia) of Albuquerque, Jeff and Chris Gibeau (Tyler, Adam) of Atlanta, Rachel Rudi of Barre, Vermont, Damien and Jordan Friesz (Lily, Zander) of Mankato, and Haley and Mike Barshis (Adelyn, Avery) of Cedar Rapids.