Kathleen Marie Rudy

April 22, 1947 — March 4, 2024

Byron, IL

Winnebago – Kathleen Marie (McElmeel) Rudy, age 76, passed away peacefully on Monday, March 4, 2024 at Serenity Hospice and Home in Oregon. She was born in Rockford on April 22, 1947 the daughter of John and Lucille (Featherston) McElmeel. She was raised in the Rockford area and graduated from Auburn High School Class of 1965. Kathleen was a hard worker from an early age and began working at 13 years old which allowed her to explore a few occupations. She was a babysitter, car hop, drill operator for Elco Tool, machine operator for Atwoods, an inspector, owned a tavern called Die Saufen Haus, and was a cook for Freeport Memorial. Kathleen had a big personality and was true to herself. She was always the life of a party-- making her presence known by singing her own version of Bill Bailey. She was a joy to be around and knew how to have a good time which made her quick to make friends. She had excellent culinary skills and was known to make amazing potato soup and BBQ. She would cook a meal for anyone who needed it and loved to make cookies for her nurses and doctors that took care of her. She took pride in teaching her daughter and granddaughters how to make the family sugar cookie recipe, which would be made every Christmas. Kathleen loved all holidays but Easter, St Patrick’s Day, and Christmas were her favorites. She loved Santa Claus and passing on all of her Christmas traditions on to her family. She was a woman of strong faith and an active member of St Mary’s Catholic Church in Byron. More than anything; Kathleen loved her family. They were the light of her life. She always looked forward to lunch dates with her daughter, granddaughters, and sisters as well as attending family gatherings. She believed in spending as much time with her family as she could and making sure they did not go a single day without knowing they were loved. You really knew Kathleen loved you if you got one of her famous "moochie kisses". Kathleen took the song “My Way” to heart and was always able to do things her way even if it was the harder path. She was a fighter and overcame numerous challenges thrown in her path. Kathleen will be remembered for her classy attitude, loving heart, and her beautiful blue eyes. She is preceded in death by her parents, brother Richard, sister Barbara Jean, nephew Dylan, sister-in-law Peggy and brother-in-law Joe. She is survived and deeply missed by her daughter, Rhonda (Jon) Book of Byron; granddaughters, Brittney Book of Madison, WI and Rachel (Riley) Lorden of Beloit, WI; great grandchildren, Kane Elwood-James Lorden; siblings, Janet Buchanan of Rockford, Patrick McElmeel of Nebraska, Mike McElmeel of Winnebago, Colleen Miranda of Machesney Park, Sheila (Mark) Lawson of Ridott, and Cindy (Kim) Kopp of Ridott; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, family and friends. A funeral mass will be held at 12:00 PM on Monday, March 11, 2024 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Byron with Father Rich Rosinski officiating. Vistiation will be held from 10:00 AM to 11:45 AM. Burial will be at Calvary Cemetery in Winnebago.

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Monday, March 11, 2024

10:00 - 11:45 am (Central time)

St Mary Catholic Church, Byron

220 E 2nd St, Byron, IL 61010

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