Myrna L. Rudio passed away peacefully on January 3, 2018 at the age of 77 after a brief stay in the hospital. She was born in Larimore, ND on August 24, 1940 to Erick and Leone Ohnstad. Shortly thereafter, the family moved to Montana and she spent her early childhood years in Forsyth, before settling in Helena. She attended Hawthorne Elementary and Helena High School where she formed many lasting friendships.
In January of 1957, she married Robert M. (Bob) Rudio. They moved to Bozeman where they began their life together and welcomed two children, Karen and Mark. Upon Bob’s graduation from Montana State University, they moved to Chicago, IL where he was stationed as an active member of the U.S. Army. She always felt a special kinship with those in the military and would go out of her way to thank a service member for their dedication.
Bob and Myrna loved Montana and in 1964, they moved back to the mountains of Clancy to build their family home. In January of 1968, they welcomed their third child, Pam, into their family. Myrna spent many years creating a beautiful home and raising her family in the community that she loved. In 1986, she began a professional career as a legal secretary for the State of Montana, retiring from the MT Attorney General’s Office in July of 2001.
Myrna had many special gifts but the biggest was her natural ability to connect with people. She was kind, sensitive and never knew a stranger! She especially enjoyed golfing and traveling with her husband, reading, crocheting, and baking anything chocolate. She took great pride in her family, loved a good joke and had a wonderful sense of humor. Her kindness and caring nature created many lifelong friendships that she cherished deeply. She was especially proud of her grand- and great-grandchildren and loved attending their many activities throughout the years.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Erick and Leone Ohnstad; her husband, Robert M. Rudio. She is survived by her brother, Robert Ohnstad of Clancy; her three children: Karen (Tom) Ditchey, M. Mark Rudio, Pam (Ron) Novak, all of Clancy; seven grandchildren: Tyser Ditchey (Helena), Rourke Ditchey (Denver), Dr. Randi (Ben) Edwards (Coeur d’ Alene), Cory (Brittany Mayer) Parriman, Kristyna Rudio, Karson Novak, Brenden Novak, all of Helena; and three great-grandchildren, Madison and Ethan Edwards, and Kessler Parriman. She is also survived by several very special cousins, brothers/sisters-in law, nieces, nephews, and lifelong friends that she loved so dearly, as well as her sweet cocker spaniel, Molly.
Myrna truly believed the greatest of things were always achieved in a light heart, which was evident even in her last days. In lieu of flowers, she would have simply loved for others to make someone’s day a little brighter — take time to make others laugh, find a connection and be especially kind to a friend or stranger, bake something to share, or just hug someone a little tighter …
A memorial service celebrating Myrna’s life will be 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, January 9th at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home, 3750 N. Montana Avenue. A reception will follow the service in the social hall of the funeral home. Please visit below to offer a condolence to the family or to share a memory of Myrna.
Mom was a beautiful person inside and out and her gift of light and love will be greatly missed. Rest in peace, sweet lady.
Robin Farrell says
Karen, Mark and Pam
So sorry for the passing of your mom. She was such a dear friend to my mom and one of the many moms we had in the lump gulch neighborhood so many years ago. How fortunate we all were to have had both Bob and Myrna just down the road. She touched many lives and will be missed. Much love, Robin
Sharon Redpath says
Dear Rudio family,
I was shocked & saddened by the loss of my dear friend , Myrna. I have known her since second grade and we have had so many good friendship years. We laughed together, cried together and just had so much fun together. She was a true and faithful friend and a beautiful person inside and out. I do not know what I will do without her and can not even imagine your lives without her. Good wife, good mother & the best friend. I will miss her beautiful smile and her sweet giggle. This is so unreal and please know how very sorry I am for your loss.
God bless you all and please know that she has so many friends who are willing to be there for you, if needed. May she rest in peace. We all lost her too soon! God speed my dear friend!
Verna Kroll says
Karen, Mark & Pam(and all the whole fam damily)
So sorry to hear of Myrna’s passing, she put up one hell of a fight. She was an amazing woman, Mom, wife, grandma and great grandma too! She is now at peace and in no more pain and like I have said to the ones I have lost, it’s not good bye but see you later. God Bless and know you are all in our thoughts and prayers. And if you need anything, please let us know how we can help and support you at this time. Love you all.
Jennifer Anders says
Myrna was a great friend and professional acquaintance. We worked together for some 20 years in the Attorney General’s office, where she cranked out appellate briefs written by us stressed-out lawyers day in and day out. She was never shy about giving it right back to us, and I always admired her tenacity, professionalism, and sense of humor. She will be sorely missed. Best wishes to all of you while you work through this difficult time.
Dudley Williams says
My condolences to
The Rudio family. May she rest in peace with Bob
Evelyn Baker says
She was a great friend and I will miss her always. We made some good memories, she Pete and I. I just read this: “Death is not a closed door but an open window not the end of life but the beginning” Love and prays to her wonderful family.
Peggy (Chambers) Bushee says
Your friendly smile, your kind face and your presence everywhere will be missed by so many. RIP my dear cousin, Myrna!!!
Gary and Diane Wacker says
To all of Myrna’s family,
We send all our thoughts and prayers to you at this difficult time. Although we never knew Myrna very long, we enjoyed our visits with her very much. She was a special person with a great personality, and we know she will be missed by many.
Char Neill says
I am so sorry for the loss of your Mom, Grandma, and Great-Grandma. I will miss my dear friend, Myrna. Our friendship goes back to Hawthorne School and St. John’s Lutheran Church where we were confirmed together. We had some hilarious adventures. Sometimes Myrna’s goofy sense of humor disguised her great intelligence. I don’t think she realized how smart she was, but I knew. She could be silly, but she could also be serious. I will miss our conversations and the wisdom and knowledge that she shared. Goodbye, Myrna.
Michelle Baker Cole says
So many memories of growing up in Lump Gulch with Myrna as one of the Moms that kept track of us all. Even after we moved, I always enjoyed my visits with her. Always a smile and good for a few laughs and “remember when….”
Pam, Mark, Karen and all your families, you were blessed to have her close by always and the memories you’ve shared are priceless. My thoughts and prayers for peace and comfort are with you all. Love ya.
Clarice (Cindy) & Rock Reynolds says
Karen, Mark, Pam & Bob: So sorry for the loss of your mom and sister! Myrna was a truly a wonderful person. Caring, loving & so full of life. She will truly be missed. We spent a good part of our years growing up together at the lake. She can now join Bob. We will miss you Myrna!
Arlene Peterson says
Our deepest sympathy to Myrna’s family. Each time we were able to get together, we had a wonderful time.
Each visit was full of laughter, reminiscing of days ago, and coffee together. Our prayers of comfort are for each of you. We miss you dearly cousin.
Arlene (Ohnstad) Peterson
Idamae Ohnstad
Connie Cole says
I first met Myna when I worked with Bob at the then-Department of State Lands. Our acquaintanceship continued through the years I worked with Bob at the environmental consulting firm WESTECH. We had many get-togethers at the warm and welcoming Rudio home in Lump Gulch. Myrna was always a welcoming hostess, full of fun with a twinkle in her eye. She and Bob were a great couple. It’s comforting to think their spirits are back together again.
My condolences to the family.
Best wishes,
Connie and Dave Cole
Ken & Ardyce Johnson says
Sending our love and sympathy to Myrna’s family. We were so sorry to hear about her passing. She was such a fun person and so fun to visit with. We will keep all of you in our thoughts and prayers.
Linda McDermott Braun says
Our deepest sympathies to the families of Myrna Rudio. We both knew Myrna (Bob at Hawthorne and Linda as a classmate of Bob Rudio’s). Myrna was a special person on God’s earth.
Bob and Linda Carlson McDermott Braun
Larry Karen Ferguson and boys says
Pam and family, we are thinking about you. I am sad that we are in that time of our lives where we say good bye. I hope the great memories and stories bring a smile through the tears.
Ferguson’s