Carla Jo (Christenson) Rudie

Carla Rudie, 55, of Willmar, died Saturday, January 14, 2023, at her home following a 2-year battle with glioblastoma brain cancer.

Her funeral service will be 10:00 a.m. Saturday, January 21, at First Covenant Church in Willmar.  Her burial will be at Stiklestad Cemetery near Doran.  Her visitation will be 4:00-7:00 p.m. Friday, January 20, at the church followed by a time of sharing at 7:00 p.m.  Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service at the church on Saturday.  Arrangements are with Harvey Anderson Funeral Home in Willmar, www.hafh.org.

Carla was born March 2, 1967, in Fergus Falls, Minnesota, the daughter of David and Sylvia (Sampson) Christenson.  She grew up in Doran, Minnesota, was baptized at Stiklestad Lutheran Church near Doran, and confirmed at Calvary Lutheran Church in Fergus Falls. Carla attended Campbell Elementary School until 1980, when her family moved to Fergus Falls. Carla attended high school at Hillcrest Lutheran Academy in Fergus Falls.  She was active in basketball and volleyball in high school and played softball in the summer.  She graduated as co-valedictorian from Hillcrest in 1985 and then attended Fergus Falls Community College, where she continued to play volleyball and earned her Associate Degree.  Carla attended Northwestern University for 1 semester, before transferring to Moorhead State University and graduated with her Bachelor of Science Degree in business management in 1989.

While attending community college, Carla met Dave Rudie.  They were married August 11, 1990, at Bethel Lutheran Church in Fergus Falls.  They made their home in Willmar, where they raised their three daughters, Megan, Tara, and Kayla.  Carla worked as an accounting specialist for 30 years, working at Sparboe Companies, Schiller Cabinets, ACMC, and most recently at RELCO. 

Carla was an active member of First Covenant Church in Willmar, where she was involved in Bible Study and volunteered as a Sunday school teacher and youth group leader.  She enjoyed reading, scrapbooking, and spending time outdoors and at the lake.  She loved spending time with her family, especially her two new grandchildren. Carla was known for her infectious positivity, sense of humor, and genuine friendliness to anyone she met. Carla’s smile and laugh would light up any room she entered.

She is survived by her husband: Dave; her three daughters: Megan (Damon) George of Maplewood, MN, Tara (Ryan) Woltjer of Colorado Springs, CO, and Kayla (Alec) Wright of Memphis, TN; and two grandchildren: Oshae George and Landon Woltjer.  Also surviving are her mother: Sylvia Christenson of Fergus Falls, MN; siblings: Carrie (Charlie) Brue of Fergus Falls, MN, Scott (Val) Christenson of Fergus Falls, MN, Dawn (Jonas) Nelson of Minot, ND, Debi Foss of Battle Lake, MN, and Brad (Paula) Christenson of Fergus Falls, MN; Father and Mother-in-law: Orlean and Pat Rudie; in-laws: Scott (Carol) Rudie of Pipestone, MN, Jeff Rudie of Pelican Rapids, Pam (Vaun) Bruhn of Frazee, MN, and Teresa (Erin) Anderson of Perham, MN; and 27 nephews and nieces and their spouses; and other relatives and friends.  She was preceded in death by her father, David Christenson; sister-in-law, Lisa Rudie; and brother-in-law, Kevin Foss.

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