Obituary of Agnes Rudy

Agnes Rudy peacefully passed away November 30, 2006 with family around her. Agnes started life in French Lick, Indiana. Born to Charles Monroe Kellams and Evaleen Parks Kellams on July 29, 1906. Her family moved to a farm near Carmen, Oklahoma when Agnes was 13,. She attended high school in Alva, Oklahoma where she met Benjamin William Rudy. Ben and Agnes married February 14, 1925. To this union, four children were born: Charles Phillip, Loyd Eugene, Marjorie Lou (Chambers) and Karan Kay (Baber). The couple established their home east of Alva, Oklahoma and farmed with mules. Agnes cooked many meals for workers including thrashing crews during harvest season. In 1945 they began leasing farm land in eastern Colorado. From, 1945 to 1951 they farmed in both states. In 1951 they purchased a farm west of Burlington, Colorado. The farm became their home in 1952. Agnes worked side by side with Ben to make the farm a success. When Ben died in 1959 she continued the farming operations they had established. Agnes was active in the Burlington community. She was a member of the United Methodist Church, a life member of the Women’s Society of Christian Service (WSCS) and of the Jeanie Nave Circle. She joined the Burlington Home Demonstration Club and as president of the organization, she had a project with Dr. Beethe, the Kit Carson County Health Doctor, in 1956 to get children in Kit Carson County vaccinated for polio. She enjoyed playing pinochle with the Jolly Dozen Card Club for many years. She participated in community events that are too numerous to mention. She was employed by the W-B Drug for several years. Entertaining was a favorite thing for Agnes. She hosted many family holidays and family reunions. During the mid-fifties dust bowl era, she opened her house to 30 motorists stranded on Highway 24. She had a big pot of ham and beans already cooked. So she added potatoes, baked more corn bread, had home baked cookies and fruit for dessert and fed everyone lunch. She was remembered for her kindness and hospitality with Christmas cards by several of those motorists for many years. Agnes enjoyed being fashionable and always had a hat to match her ensemble. She also found pleasure decorating her home. The most memorable was her purple bedroom. Her family often teased her about her flamboyance. Agnes enjoyed sewing, hand crafts, gardening and her cats. Her real passion was quilting. She participated in the quilting bee at the Methodist Church and always had a quilt in the frame in her living room after her retirement in 1968. She designed and hand quilted about 31 fancy quilts and many, many utilitarian comforters. She gifted one of her quilts to each of her children and grandchildren as part of her legacy. When Agnes could no longer live on her farm, she moved into the Legacy Assisted Living Center in 1997. She moved to the Georgian House Nursing Home, Lakewood, Washington in 2001 to be closer to her daughter. Agnes is survived by her daughter, Karan Kay Baber, Steilacoom, WA; sister, Elaine Hiatt, Spokane, WA; 7 grandchildren; 12 great-grand children; 11 great-great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, sons Charles and Loyd; daughter Marjorie (Chambers); grandson Samuel Baber; great-grandson Loyd Whipple; sisters Velma Celano and Pauline Johnson. Agnes was a positive influence with her family and many others who knew her. There was much love and laughter in her home and she was always able to laugh at herself. She will be missed by many. Funeral Services for Agnes will be held on Saturday, December 9, 2006 at 2:00 PM at the Burlington United Methodist Church with Reverend Tom Peacock officiating. Burial will follow in the Fairview Cemetery in Burlington. Visitation will be held on Friday, December 8, 2006 from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at the Love Funeral Home in Burlington. Donations in Agnes’ name may be made to the United Methodist Church for the purchase of pew bibles.