By allowing ads to appear on this site, you support the local businesses who, in turn, support great journalism.
Joyce Rudeen
May 7, 1944 - Feb 27, 2021
Rudeen Duo.jpg

Our beloved wife, mother, sister, and friend Joyce Rudeen passed away on February 27, 2021, after a long battle with Parkinson’s disease. Joyce was born in Seattle, Washington on May 7, 1944 to Clarence and Alice Peterson. She moved to the Opportunity neighborhood in Spokane Valley as a young child. She attended Central Valley schools and was a cheerleader in high school. At age 16, she met Ross Rudeen at First Covenant Church in Spokane, and even though he was six years older than her, they soon began dating. Together they made a strong commitment to Christ. They married when she was 19 years old. They attended Idaho State University, where Joyce received an Associate Degree in Dental Hygiene. After she graduated, they moved to Spokane, where Joyce worked as a dental hygienist and Ross finished his bachelor’s degree at Eastern Washington University. When he graduated, Ross accepted a teaching position in Norwalk, California. About that time, their first son, Jeffrey was born. After a year, they moved to Turlock, California, where Ross’ parents lived. Ross taught history in the Turlock School District.  In Turlock, Jill and Steven were born. Ross and Joyce were members of Turlock Covenant Church. Joyce worked as a hygienist at Turlock Dental Arts. Joyce was the first female Chair of the Church at Turlock Covenant. They always owned a ski boat and went water skiing most nights during the summers. She enjoyed sun tanning in her back yard and at the lake. They owned part of a lake cabin at Deer Lake, Washington, and spent time there in the summer. They lived in Turlock for 33 years. Joyce loved to decorate houses. When Ross retired from teaching, they decided to move to Spokane to be near their daughter Jill’s family. They built a lakefront house on Liberty Lake and owned houses in Liberty Lake and Spokane Valley. In Spokane, Ross and Joyce were active members of Redeemer Lutheran Church. They moved to Courtland Place in recent years. Joyce suffered from Parkinson’s disease for more than 20 years. The fact that she was able to live her life for Christ and help others is a testament to her faith and her positive, determined spirit. Joyce was preceded in death by her parents and her granddaughter Lauren McCluskey. She is survived by her husband of 57 years Ross Rudeen, her sons Jeffrey and Steven, her daughter Jill and son-in-law Matthew McCluskey, her grandson Ryan McCluskey, her sister Kathy (Paul); brother-in-law Kent (Marg), sisters-in-law Susan and Marlys and many nieces and nephews. Her favorite bible verse was 1 Corinthians 13: Faith, hope, and love, but the greatest of these is love. In lieu of flowers, please give to Redeemer Lutheran Church (redeemeralive.org) or the Lauren McCluskey Foundation (www.laurenmccluskey.org)