Sylveria M. Ruden

Sylveria M. “Sylvia” Ruden, 95, passed away Tuesday morning, December 25, 2018 at Stonehill Care Center, Dubuque, Iowa.

Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Monday, December 31, 2018 at St. Columbkille's Catholic Church with Rev. Tom McDermott officiating. Burial will be in Mount Calvary Cemetery. Visitation will be from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Sunday, December 30th at Leonard Funeral Home & Crematory, 2595 Rockdale Rd, where there will be a wake service at 4:45 p.m.

Sylveria was born on March 30, 1923, in New Vienna, Iowa, on the farm of her parents Arthur & Elizabeth (Ploessl) Sabers. Sylveria was the Matriarch of the Sabers Family helping to raise her siblings after the death of her Mother at an early age and taking special care of her brother, Roger.

She married Clarence J. Ruden in 1940 in New Vienna, Iowa. He preceded her in death on July 21, 2006.

Sylveria worked at The Dubuque Pack and later FDL for over thirty years. Over the years, Sylveria had many interests and hobbies including compiling genealogy for the Sabers Family Tree book, bowling in the Aces League at Creslanes for many years, and monthly "Let's Do Lunch" card games at St. Columbkille's. She and her husband, Clarence, attended many of their Grandchildren's' sporting events and in recent years Sylveria attended many Wahlert, Clarke University, Waterloo Bucks, and Key West Ramblers baseball games with her Sons cheering on her youngest Grandson, Anthony.

Sylveria was a great homemaker known for wonderful roasts, potato salad, and homemade strawberry-rhubarb jelly. She loved her sweets and her white chocolate Chips-A-Hoy cookies and little Debbie's. Bishop's Buffet held special memories for her.

Surviving are her children, Ron (Mary Kay) Ruden of Dubuque, Ruthie Burrows of Urbandale, IA; Linda (Bob) Schneider of Menominee, IL, and Gary (Pat Kiernan) Ruden; and daughter-in-law, Sheri Ruden of Dubuque, Iowa.

Also 14 grandchildren, Cindy (Steve) Westhoff, Jana (Kevin) Wangard, & Amy (Jason) Farrey; Tim (Deb) Ruden, Christine (Mark) Richman, Mike (Sue) Ruden, Michelle Colby, Pat (Kelly) Ruden, Brian (Ann) Ruden & Mark (Jodi) Ruden; Doug (Carol King), Matt (Libby) & Paul Schneider; and Anthony Ruden and one step-grandchild, Jamie Smith. 23 special great-grandchildren and one special step great-grandchild and two special great great-grandchildren; a sister, Pat Klostermann; sisters-in-law Darlean Sabers, Mary Ann Sabers, many special nieces and nephews and special friend Sally Kessmann.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Clarence; her son, Don, on August 3, 2018; brothers, Floyd (Cecilia), Roger, Marv (Irene), Jack, and Gene Sabers; and a sister, Ruth (Edgar) Holl; brothers-in-law Jerry Klostermann, Nick (Clara), Elmer (Marie), Jack (Bernice), Larry (Maggie), Louie (Delores), Ruden, and; sisters-in-law, Sr. Lorena Ruden, OSF and Edith Sabers.  Also David Colby and various nieces and nephews.

 In Lieu of flowers, a Sylveria M. Ruden Memorial fund has been established.

The family wishes to thank the "Wonderful Staff," Volunteers, and Secret Santa (Krystin), at Stonehill; Hospice of Dubuque; and Dr. Caceres and his nurse, Jackie, for all the care and kindnesses they gave to Sylveria and her family.

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