Ruth Ann “Rudy” (Sackett) Johnson died on Monday, October 3, in Helena. She was 91.
Rudy lived a long and a good life, putting her faith, family and friends first, with a lot of fun thrown in for good measure.
Ruth Ann Sackett was born April 21, 1925, in Billings to Edwin and Florence Sackett, joining an older sister, Mary.
The Sacketts didn’t own a car during the Depression so they walked everywhere or took a Billings city bus. On a few occasions, they went with relatives to visit Yellowstone National Park for a special trip.
As a girl, Rudy was an excellent student and played the flute. She was a slugger as a softball player, with teammates hollering, “Sock it, Sackett” when she came to bat.
She graduated from Billings High School in 1942 as part of the first class to go entirely through what was then the new brick school.
Rudy enrolled at the University of Montana and joined Kappa Alpha Theta sorority. She graduated in 1947 with a degree in microbiology.
She dated a returning World War II Army officer and UM graduate, Franklin Quentin “Q” Johnson from Harlowton, and they married on Aug. 2 1947. They moved to Great Falls and then to Helena in 1949.
Rudy and Q loved living in Helena. Many of their college friends wound up there, and they made a number of new friends there and at Whitefish where they vacationed.
She played flute in the Helena Symphony Orchestra for its first two seasons, giving it up after her fourth child was born.
Rudy was a homemaker par excellence. She was a fine cook, knitted sweaters for her kids, did beautiful needlepoints and planned family vacations to a T. Classmates of her kids envied the sack lunches she packed for them. On every April 1, however, the Johnson kids had to watch out for the slices of cardboard she placed in their sandwiches.
Neighbors Beryl and Maxine Rucker, asked Rudy to work as the part-time bookkeeper at their furniture store. Although she had no experience in that field, she quickly learned it and held that job for years to help put her children through college.
Rudy was active in numerous groups, including Chapter AO of PEO, a sewing club, a bridge club and a book club. She helped many charities raise money.
She took pride in her flower garden, which two friends kindly helped her maintain when her health began failing. She learned to throw pots at the Archie Bray Foundation.
For two straight years, Rudy won the ladies’ golf championship at Green Meadow Country Club. She also enjoyed cross-country skiing, biking and walking.
She loved to travel and took a number of international trips with Q and their friends.
Rudy was a wonderful mother and grandmother, always encouraging her children and grandchildren and watching their games and other performances.
She had a sense of style her entire life. She was a kind and gentle woman, except when playing cards. She and her bridge partner relentlessly won championships year after year.
Like her mother, Rudy had many, many friends from different generations. She liked to help others and regularly sent cards of encouragement to those facing tough times. She baked birthday cakes and prepared Christmas cookies and candy every year for friends.
Like her father, Rudy was a die-hard, lifetime Chicago Cubs fan She watched every Cubs’ game on TV in recent years. Her children were hoping she would live long enough to watch the Cubs win the World Series this year.
Rudy was a devout woman, active in the Episcopal Church all of her life. She was a longtime member of the Altar Guild at St. Peter’s Episcopal Cathedral.
For years, she was a season ticketholder for the Helena Symphony, Grandstreet Theatre and the Montana Grizzlies’ football games.
When her husband, Q, suffered from Alzheimer’s disease in the early 1990s, Rudy insisted on caring for him at home until his final six months before his death in 1999.
Her parents, Edwin and Florence Sackett, and her sister, Mary Stripp, preceded Rudy in death.
Survivors include her four children and their spouses, Chuck (Pat Hunt) of Helena; Tom (Kerry) of Montana City, Peter (Carol Potera) of Great Falls, and Sally (Ross Miller) of Missoula. Rudy had five grandchildren, Alli Welter of Billings, Luke Johnson of Portland, Ore., Curtis Johnson of Missoula, Jacob Johnson of Helena and Florence Miller of Bozeman.
A favorite nephew, Fred Stripp, and his wife, Judy, of Eugene, Ore., also survive.
Whenever Rudy had health challenges, Lois Hughes, a friend since college, lovingly helped her until her final days. The family will be eternally grateful.
The Johnsons also are grateful for neighbors Anne and Tom Brooke, who showed great kindnesses to Rudy as her health was failing.
The family would like to thank Brenda Thompson, who lovingly cared for Rudy for more than a year, and Kim Trudgeon, who took on the night shift in recent weeks.
The Johnsons greatly appreciate Hospice of St. Peter’s nurses Mary Margaret Kotson, Cheryl Sabol and Mickie Simonson and social worker Karissa Bennett for their dedicated care for Rudy the past two months.
A funeral requiem Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, October 10th at St. Peters Episcopal Cathedral, 511 N. Park Avenue. Inurnment will follow the Mass in St. Peter’s Episcopal Columbarium. A reception will follow the inurnment in the fellowship hall of the church. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials in Rudy’s name be made to the Helena Food Share, P.O. Box 943. Helena, MT 59624, or to St. Peter’s Episcopal Cathedral, P.O. Box 819, Helena, MT 59624.
Service Schedule
Funeral Mass
11:00 am
Monday October 10, 2016
St. Peter's Episcopal Cathedral
511 N. Park
Helena , Montana 59601
Inurnment
Following Funeral Mass
Monday October 10, 2016
St. Peters Episcopal Cathedral Columbarium
511 N. Park
Helena , Montana 59601
Reception
Following Inurnment
Monday October 10, 2016
Fellowship hall of church
511 N. Park
Helena , Montana 59601
Service Schedule
Funeral Mass
11:00 am
Monday October 10, 2016
St. Peter's Episcopal Cathedral
511 N. Park
Helena , Montana 59601
Inurnment
Following Funeral Mass
Monday October 10, 2016
St. Peters Episcopal Cathedral Columbarium
511 N. Park
Helena , Montana 59601
Reception
Following Inurnment
Monday October 10, 2016
Fellowship hall of church
511 N. Park
Helena , Montana 59601
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jeff and melissa sherlock says
We will miss Rudy; always a gracious and kind word for everyone; she was a real class act; rest in peace, jeff and melissa
Lynn & Sharon Phillips says
Rudy (and Q, as well) were always so good to Tom and his friends when we were at the house. And I think when we went on ski trips in high school, Tom always had the best lunches, which I imagine his mother packed for him. We will miss both Johnsons greatly, but always cherish the memories of those times. Rest in peace. Lynn & Sharon
Brenda Thompson says
I was so very blessed to be a part of Rudy’s life every morning for this last year and cherished every minute, what a angel , she brightened my days with her positive outlook on life, her love of her church , her love of her family which meant so much to her, great kids she raised, which did all they could to keep her happy, Chuck, Tom, Peter and Sally she loved you so very much you all brightened her day whenever she herd from you or saw you all, so very proud of you guys, we will all miss her. Thanks so very much for allowing me to be part of your life’s. My mornings will never be the same without her.
Nancy Bick says
Sending Rudys family my condolences.My mom Margaret and she grew up toegther, and I heard her speak of her friend “Rudy” fondly! Rudy passed away on what would have been Margaret’s 92nd birthday, so I am sure she was greeted with open arms!
Ken 'Rosy' Rosenbaum says
Rudy was a giving person. I brought a framed poster art print to her home over many years of our acquaintance. Each year she would tell me about her various activities and about her family. The framed art was a birthday gift for one of her sons. We also talked about her friend Dave Armstrong, a Helena sled dog musher who raced his dogsled team in most of the annual Race to the Sky events. Dave is in his 90’s now. Rudy even knew just where Dave sat in church each week. It became a special treat each year to visit and listen to this beautiful and grand lady. Her picture in this notice is just how she remains in my memories.
Dave Van Nice says
Rudy was an intricate part of the Hawthorne School mother’s patrol cleverly disguised as a sewing club. A wonderful lady. My condolences to the Johnson family.