Verna E. Ruedin, 100, died at 7:22 a.m. Sunday, January 29, 2017 at OSF St. Anthony’s Health Center. Born September 15, 1916 in a log cabin in Highgate, MO, she was the daughter of Eldo J. and Ina (Pruitt) Spurgeon. Verna moved from Missouri to Alton when she was 18. She worked for Block’s Ice Cream Parlor where she often served one of Alton’s most famous residents, Robert Wadlow. On April 22, 1938 she married Charles L. Ruedin and they celebrated 58 years of marriage prior to his passing in 1997. The couple had three children, Gary Ruedin of Eaton, CO, Homer (Isabel) Ruedin of Alton, and Janet Owczarzak of Godfrey, eight grandchildren, Mike Ruedin, Pat Ruedin, Amy Webb, Ike Ruedin, Josh Ruedin, Amelia Dixon, Carrie McAfoos, and Corey Ozark, 18 great grandchildren, Frannie, Hope, Walker, Mattson, J.D., Jori, Dillon, Henry, Charlie R., Rudy, Lydia, Mia, Graham, Charlie M., Morgan, Jane, Eliza and Lincoln. Also surviving is a sister, Erline Johnson of Bethalto and her best friend, Vivian Himmel. While raising her three children, Verna taught Sunday School at the First Methodist church in Alton and often served as a room mother to her children’s school classes. She worked for Snyder’s Department Store in downtown Alton for 26 years. Many may remember her helping them pick out their Red Goose shoes and receiving a golden egg. She also volunteered at the Caravan retail shop. Along with her parents and husband she was preceded in death by three brothers, Harold (Dorothy) Spurgeon, Donald Spurgeon, and Burrell (Doris) Spurgeon and a brother-in-law, Ralph Johnson. Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. until time of funeral service at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, February 2, 2017 at Gent Funeral Home in Alton. Reverend Charlie Schwaab will officiate. Burial will be at Valhalla Memorial Park in Godfrey. Memorials may be made to Main Street United Methodist Church. Online guestbook and information may be found at www.gentfuneralhome.com
