Eleanor Rud

Monday, August 21, 2017 10:51 am

Eleanor Rud, 102, of Decorah, died Tuesday morning, Aug. 15, 2017, at Aase Haugen Senior Services in Decorah. Memorial services are at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 22, in the fellowship room at Decorah Lutheran Church, with Pastor Dave Sorenson and Pastor Brenda Crossfield officiating. Organist is Linda Gjerdrum. Soloist is Wayne Mitchell (“Den Store Hvide Flok” and “The Lord’s Prayer”). Congregational hymns are “Children of the Heavenly Father” and “Softly and Tenderly.” Inurnment is in Lutheran Cemetery in Decorah.

Eleanor Rud was born Aug. 4, 1915, in Decorah, the daughter of Henry and Olga (Storlie) Rud. She was baptized Sept. 5, 1915, at Decorah Lutheran Church and confirmed her faith there June 22, 1930. She received her education in the Decorah Public Schools, graduating from high school in 1933. She attended Luther College and Northwestern University in Evanston, Ill. She was trained as an elementary grade teacher and taught in Iowa public schools for six years, the last three years in Decorah.

In September of 1943 she was employed by Montgomery Ward in Chicago, Ill. and began a 37-year career in the company’s corporate training department. The last four years she served as corporate retail training manager, the first woman to hold that position at Montgomery Ward.

At retirement in 1980, she returned to Decorah and again became a member of Decorah Lutheran Church and circles. For many years she was a member of Oneota Golf and Country Club and was a volunteer with both the hospital’s Meals on Wheels Program and the Vesterheim Museum Volunteer Program.

Eleanor is survived by her sister, Evelyn Atherton, of Decorah; and nephew, Chad (Sandra) Evans, of Decorah.

She was preceded in death by her parents, and a sister, who died in infancy.

Fjelstul Funeral Home in Decorah is serving the family.

Online condolences may be made at fjelstul.com.