Carol Anne Rudey

Carol Anne Rudey, 74, of Racine, WI, died of complications from a fall at Aurora Summit Oconomowoc Hospital on Friday, February 20th, 2026, surrounded by family in her final moments. The fall took place in early December. She is a true testament to love and determination in her lifelong battle against Rheumatoid Arthritis. Carol was dedicated to her family and will be forever loved by her husband of 51 years (Tom Rudey) and two adult sons (Scott Rudey and David Rudey- wife Casey (Ulman)-grandson Luke Rudey). Carol was preceded in death by her mother (Frances) and father (Milton), her oldest brother John Burdick and her younger brother Paul, and is survived by her beloved sister Sue (husband Mike). Carol was born in Racine, WI at St. Luke’s Hospital on March 28th to Milton and Frances Burdick, the 2nd of 4 children. (Jack, Sue, Paul) Carol was part of the inaugural graduating class at Racine J.I. Case high school before studying journalism and psychology at Warburg University (where she met Tom) in Waverly, Iowa. While Carol had many different jobs, two roles she truly loved were teaching “Hands on Science” courses at Emmaus Lutheran Church, along with teaching at Racine Lutheran High School, Union Grove High School, and the Lakeview Technology Academy in Kenosha. Carol was an amazing educator, teaching for 18 years by going back to work as one of the only licensed AP- Psychology and AP-Literature teachers in the state. (Taught both classes.) Her mind was always going until the end; it's just her body gave out. She was someone that faced and overcame a lot of obstacles in her life. Carol was always a wonderful example to be able to watch her “beat” just one more thing, and prove somebody “wrong” one more time. Even though she was told she could never have kids, she had two; even though she was told she “couldn’t work”, she taught AP Lit and AP Psych for 18 years. She always taught us that you can do anything you truly want to do. If there is a will, there is a way. Her lessons extended beyond the classroom. Carol was an avid writer, publishing three novels, countless articles and numerous stories. An avid painter and gardener, Carol enjoyed vacations to Disney and other places around the United States. While near the end of her life her body gave out, her mind never did. She continued to write until her final hours. Many people would always seek her counsel. Two great pieces of advice worth bringing up: “ you don’t ever have to do anything in life you don’t want to do” and “there is never any justification for bad behavior”. I just wanted to leave you with those two messages because today, more than ever, those are great things to be reminded of. A service will be held on Saturday, March 28th, 2026 at Emmaus Lutheran Church with a visitation from 10am-11:30 am, a funeral service from 11:30AM-Noon with a lunch to follow. As Carol always reminded her friends and family: “Be good and do good things.” John 14:2-3 In lieu of flowers please consider rerouting any donations to Emmaus Lutheran Church ( https://emauselca1.org/index.php/donations/) or to the Rheumatoid Arthritis Foundation (https://www.helpfightra.org/donations/

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Carol Anne Rudey

March 28, 1951 - February 20, 2026