Clare Rudolph

Clare Rudolph, 102, left this earth for heaven at 1:30pm, Monday, October 10.  Clare passed peacefully
and without pain in her own bed at the Sheboygan Senior Community while holding her daughter’s
hand.
Clare was preceded in death by her husband Ralph in 2012.  She is survived by 4 children, Robert (Carol
Martin) of Bella Vista, AR, Renee (Mike Cascio) of Milwaukee, Randy (Mary) of Crystal Lake and Richard
(Paula) of Crystal Lake, 9 Grandchildren and 12 Great Grandchildren.
Born in the farming town of Greenwald, Minnesota on February 26, 1920, she was 1 of the 10 children
of the late Clemens and Josephine Schulte.  The year Clare was born, Greenwald numbered 153 making
her family 9% of the town population.
After graduating from Melrose (MN) High, she entered Saint Marys School of Nursing.  Located on part
of the Mayo Clinic, Clare’s 1st year of study proved unforgettable.  President Roosevelt’s son James was
a patient at Saint Marys.  During a visit by the President and Mrs. Roosevelt, they took the time to meet
and encourage the students.  One of Clare’s nurse friends, Ms. Romelle Schneider was assigned to James
Roosevelt and later married him.
Clare graduated as a registered nurse and continued working for a time at the Mayo Clinic.  Just before
the outbreak of WWII, Clare moved to Minneapolis.  Living in a boarding house with another nurse, she
began working as an RN in the Minneapolis VA hospital where she stayed throughout the war.
In 1949, on a beach during a Minneapolis summer, Clare met her future husband.  She married Ralph
Rudolph on June 9, 1951.  When children came, Clare became a full time homemaker.  After her spouse
found a job in Plymouth that promised a better future, Clare moved the entire household by train to set
up a new family home in Plymouth.
In Plymouth, Clare was an active volunteer with many different organizations including the Cub Scouts,
Camp Fire Girls, St. Vincent de Paul Society and the American Red Cross.  She was an active member of
St. John the Baptist Catholic Church volunteered as a Eucharistic Minister for Rocky Knoll.
When her husband started Rockline Industries, Clare supported his decision to mortgage their entire
future on the new enterprise and served for many years as the Corporate Secretary.
Prior to her death, Clare lived in Plymouth, Crystal Lake, Elkhart Lake and most recently Sheboygan.
Together with her husband Ralph, they traveled the world after retirement and were blessed to spend
many warm and pleasant winters in Florida.  Clare had a particular fondness for Bridge and won several
amateur player awards for her skill at the game.
A positive person to the last, Clare’s passing is summed up by a quote from Theodor Geisel, “Don’t cry
because it’s over – Smile because it happened!”
Funeral Services will be held on Monday, October 24, 2022, at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in
Plymouth. Visitation will take place from 12:30-2:00pm, with Mass to follow at 2:00pm. Fr. Philip
Reifenberg will officiate and burial will follow the services in the Parish Cemetery.
The Rudolph family requests that in lieu of flowers donations be made to local chapters of the St.
Vincent DePaul Society. Persons overseas wishing to remember Clare are requested to direct their
donation to a similar local organization in their home country.
The Suchon Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Plymouth is assisting the family. For online
condolences, please visit www.suchonfh.com.