Joanne I. Ruedy

Joanne Ruedy, age 81, of Hastings, MN died peacefully at Hometown Assisted Living in Woodbury on Friday morning, December 15, 2023. Joanne battled cancer for several years, sadly having to spend the last few years with her mobility hindered.

Joanne, the daughter of Muriel and Melvin Christiansen, was born in San Francisco, California on February 16, 1942. Joanne’s parents died when she was young. She moved to St. Paul to live with her aunt and uncle, Don and Marion Stewart. They lived near Como Park and Joanne loved everything related to Como Park. She was an avid ice skater on Como Lake. As a teenager she participated in all that the state fair and winter carnival had to offer, she and her friends would attend the state fair almost daily. Joanne graduated from St. Paul Murray High School in 1959. She attended the University of Minnesota School Of Engineering for two years. Later in life she went to school to be a Tax Preparation Specialist.

Joanne married Dell Ruedy in 1962 eventually moving to Hastings. They built a house in 1965 and she lived in it for 55 years. She spent her final year living at Hometown Assisted Living in Woodbury Minnesota. She bonded with the staff there and truly loved them and the care that they provided.

She spent most of her career working seasonally for Rahn, Neisen, and Root as a tax preparer specializing in farm taxes. She definitely did not enjoy the very long hours three months of the year, but she thoroughly enjoyed the people she worked with. She also enjoyed the other nine months of the year she had available for other activities. Joanne was lovingly devoted to her grandchildren. She enjoyed actively participating and spectating their sports and music activities. There were several years where she rarely missed Hastings High School girls’ soccer or hockey games. She enjoyed wearing her “Team Grandma” sweatshirts to all of the events.

Joanne was passionate about her involvement with the Regina Hospital Auxiliary. She loved telling anyone around her about the upcoming auxiliary activities and about all of the great things the auxiliary was doing for the hospital. She was a former president and a former volunteer of the year. She was very excited to be involved with the annual hospital bazaar and the blood drives. She was also a member of the Lion’s Club. She was enthused about all that they did, but sadly her health got in her way of truly immersing herself into the organization.

She was preceded in death by her parents Melvin and Muriel; brother, Ross; aunt and uncle, Don and Marion Stewart; and her special sister, Margo;

Joanne is survived by her children, Tom (Paula), and Jerry (Deanna); 5 grandchildren, Jenny (Drew Chamberlain), Crystal (Kolbein) Matson, Kit (Aaron Karnick), Nicholas and Benjamin; and sister, Bonnie Stewart.

Family and friends are cordially invited to a Celebration of her life on Saturday, January 6, 2023 from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Starkson Family Life Celebration Chapel of Hastings. There will be a short service at 4:00 and the rest of the time will be spent enjoying fellowship and food. Per Joanne’s request, the events will be casual so please dress comfortably. Attend as you wish.

All memorials will be directed to the Regina Hospital Auxiliary (A GREAT ORGANIZATION). They can be sent to Mary Jones at, 1498 Hillside Street, Hastings, MN, 55033.

For guestbook and further information, please visit www.hastingsmnfuneral.com

Arrangements are being completed by Starkson Family Life Celebration Chapel of Hastings.