Doris "Dorie" Rud

Doris "Dorie" Johnson Rud, 98 years old of Duluth, died Saturday, March 25, 2017 at her Ecumen Lakeshore home where she resided the past four years.  She will be remembered as a loving, caring wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother.

Dorie was born April 7, 1918 in Willmar, MN to LeRoy and Emily Johnson.  After graduating from Willmar High School, she went to work as a secretary for the Browning Steamship Co. in Cleveland, Ohio.  A short time later, she moved to St. Paul to work as a telephone operator for Northwestern Bell Telephone Co.  Around 1940, she transferred to Duluth to rejoin her family who had already moved there.  It was there that she met the love of her life, Herbert Rud, and they were married on June 7, 1947.  Although her focus was always on raising their sons, Dorie was active in school PTAs, Cub Scouts, Church Circles, and a monthly Sewing Circle that included women who all became lifelong friends.  After the boys left home, Dorie returned to work at the St. Luke’s Hospital Gift Shop where she became the bookkeeper for their Volunteer Guild. After retirement, she then became a volunteer for the St. Luke's Hospice Program.

Dorie was a talented, vital, interesting woman for her time.  There was nothing that Dorie would not attempt in the line of crafts, sewing, knitting, quilting, crocheting, cooking, and baking.  Meals were an absolute culinary delight at her house as she tried many new different recipes out on a weekly basis.  Dorie left behind hundreds of handwritten recipe cards of old-time, Scandinavian vintage for her family to enjoy in the years ahead.

Music was an important part of her life.  Dorie enjoyed playing the piano and listening to classical music and hymns.  She and Herb also attended numerous concerts as season ticket holders for the Duluth-Superior Symphony.  As a former member of Trinity Lutheran Church and as a current member of The Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd, she was active in their Circles, volunteer events, and she hosted many annual Christmas devotional gatherings at their home.  She was a member of the Duluth Woman’s Club where she enjoyed playing bridge and dining with friends.  Many hours were spent watching the boats on the lake from their home and from the Duluth Ship Canal.  Both loved car rides around the scenic city as they each drove nearly into their 90s.

Beyond all, Gramma Dorie loved her family, and her grandkids & great-grandkids especially.  She with Herb attended every sports and musical event "the kids" were playing in or participating in, often accepting rides out-of-town from Jay when those games were scheduled there.  A first question would always be and was, even as recent as one week ago, "What do you hear from the kids? Tell me what they are doing."

She was preceded in death by her parents, LeRoy and Emily; her brothers, Loren and Howard Johnson and her husband, Herbert in 2005.

Dorie is survived by her longtime devoted care-giver son, Jay (Shari) Rud, Duluth, and son, Kim (Andreé) Rud, Xalapa, Mexico; grandchildren, Brian (Sue) Rud, Duluth, and Kelly (Dustin) Dierks, (Sioux Falls, SD); great grandchildren, Kyle and Kirsten Rud, and Elizabeth, Alissa, and Andrew Dierks; and special cousin, Margie Benson (Rochester, MN), whom she considered to be her sister.

The family would also like to thank and recognize the many care-givers and friends  who Dorie required throughout the past several years in her home, and most recently at Lakeshore. You know who you are, so does the family; your love and care was deeply appreciated.

If you choose, Memorials may be sent directly to: St. Luke's Hospice, 220 North 6th Avenue East, Duluth, Mn. 55805.  Please note: in memory of Doris Rud on check memo.

A memorial service will be held this summer at a site and date yet to be determined.

Arrangements by Dougherty Funeral Home, Duluth, (218) 727-3555.