Mary Kay Rhude

Mary K. Rhude, 68, of Spicer died Tuesday, September 17, 2019, at Prairie Senior Cottages in Willmar.  Mass of Christian Burial will be 11:00 am, Thursday, September 26th at Church of St. Mary in Willmar.  Visitation will be from 5-7:00 pm, Wednesday, September 25th at Harvey Anderson Funeral Home in Willmar and will continue at the church on Thursday, one hour prior to the service.  www.hafh.org

Mary Kay Rhude was born June 21, 1951, in Brainerd, Minnesota, the daughter of Donald and Leonette “Lee” (Richter) Sadler.   She moved with her family to Willmar in the late 1950’s. She attended St. Mary’s Catholic School through 8th grade and graduated from Willmar High School with the Class of 1969.  She attended St. Cloud State College, where she attained a BS in Speech Pathology in 1973.  She began working as a Speech Pathologist in Willmar.

Mary was united in marriage to Edward Rhude on August 17, 1974, at Church of St. Mary in Willmar.  The couple both worked for Willmar Public Schools, and later moved to rural Spicer.  They were blessed with their children: Beth and Scott.

Mary went on to attain her Master’s Degree in Speech and Language Pathology from St. Cloud State University in 1992.  She retired from teaching in 2008.

She was baptized at St. Francis of Assisi Church in Brainerd and confirmed at Church of St. Mary in Willmar.  Mary helped form ARC in the Willmar area, of which she was very passionate.  She later served as ARC Executive Director.  She made many connections with people through her work with people with disabilities and inspired many people by her way of special care and patience.  

Following her retirement, Mary and Ed enjoyed taking cruises, traveling and a special trip with their daughter to Japan and son to Niagara Falls.  Mary loved to read, belonging to a book club, and gardening, especially flowers.  She enjoyed visiting and having coffee with friends and meeting new people.

Mary passed away on Tuesday, September 17, 2019, at Prairie Senior Cottages in Willmar after a four year struggle with dementia.

Mary is survived by her loving husband of 45 years, Edward of Spicer; daughter and son-in-law, Beth (and Todd) Reiman of Minneapolis; son, Scott Rhude of Willmar; sister ,Karen (and Preston) Larson of Webster, MN; brother, Thomas (and Laurie) Sadler of Hutchinson; and several nieces and nephews of whom she was very close to.

She was preceded in death by her parents.         

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