Joanne Marie Ruedy (nee Schave)

JOANNE MARIE RUEDY

Lifelong Minnesota resident, Joanne Marie (Schave) Ruedy of West St. Paul, the oldest of 7 children, passed away peacefully at home on April 17, 2026, at age 87. Born June 12, 1938, in Sanborn, MN to Melvin and Edna Schave she was a 1956 graduate of Humboldt High School, St. Paul.

Joanne was a Christian and is now in Heaven with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Joanne enjoyed crocheting and generously shared her talent with family and friends. Nearly every family member received a hand-crafted Afghan blanket crocheted with a vast amount of love. She shared this act of love for over 60 years until her hands would no longer allow her to continue her talent.

Joanne retired from Ecolab (St. Paul) where she worked for over 21 years. After retiring, she spent time tending her garden, canning and freezing her plentiful harvests, playing canasta with her husband and sisters, making caramels, nut goodie bars and banana bread for her family, especially her 3 boys. Joanne was a gifted cook and if you ever had a chance to enjoy her spaghetti sauce or soups you would say, “that’s the best I have ever had.” If Joanne wasn’t crocheting, cooking or gardening she looked forward to a fun and exciting day at the casino. An afternoon at a slot machine helped her to decompress the day. Joanne enjoyed traveling throughout the years. She visited numerous cities and states from Las Vegas to Washington D.C. and Alaska to Florida.

Joanne was preceded in death by her parents Melvin and Edna (Skov) Schave; her brother and sister-in-love Jerry and Nancy Schave; sister and brother-in-love Lois (Schave) and Ross Andrusko and; sister-in-love Lynn (Bolenbaugh) Schave. 

Joanne is survived by her devoted husband of 63 years Thomas Ruedy; her 3 sons and daughters-in-love Mark and Suzanne Ruedy (North Pole, Alaska), Glenn and Vicki Ruedy (Pace, Florida) and Karl and Kim Ruedy (Moundsview, MN); sister and brother-in-love Sharon (Schave) and Larry Holub (Motley, MN); sisters Jean and Shirlee Schave (Eagan, MN) and; brother Warren Schave (Wyoming, MN). Joanne was blessed to love and cherish 14 grandchildren and 20 great grandchildren.

A private Celebration of Life will be held on May 29, 2026, at Willwerscheid Funeral Home, St. Paul. Private burial will be held at Acacia Park Cemetery.