Marie Ann Ludeke

Marie Ann Ludeke, 93, of Rockford, died January 22, 2019. Daughter of Robert and Anna (Lorenz) Harrington, was born in Britt, Iowa on July 22, 1925.
She attended Britt High School (graduated 1943), Mt. Mercy College in Cedar Rapids (Associates in Education), and Mt. Mary College in Milwaukee (Bachelor of Science in Biology 1950).
Marie taught school first in a one-room school house in Iowa, later as a substitute teacher in the Rockford Public School System. An accomplished pianist and organist in high school, she was a church organist throughout her life. First at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Britt, then St. Patrick Catholic Church in Rockford and finally at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Pecatonica.
In addition to her love for music, Marie always kept a flower garden and was a member of the Pecatonica Garden Club for many years.
She passed her faith on to her children and will be remembered most dearly by her children and grandchildren for her loving nature; she was always compassionate, understanding and fun to be with. How many grandmothers found a picnic table in the middle of a stream at the forest preserve so that she and her grandkids could dangle their feet in the cool water during lunch.
Marie married Clarence K. Ludeke on July 2, 1953 in Carroll, Iowa. They have five children: Charles (Jeanne) Ludeke, Roma (Ray) Kelley, Jeanne (Ed) Johns, Carol (Pat) Reilly and Fr. Bruce Ludeke. They had 11 grandchildren, Anna (David), Ross, Maria (fiancé Nathan), Laura (Blake), Christopher (fiancé Christina), Erin (Nick), William, Anne (Dylan), Meg, Kate and Sean. They have seven great-grandchildren: Lydia, Caleb, Avery, Eli, Marie, Robbie and Theo. Marie is also survived by a sister, Gertrude of Iowa.
Marie was preceded in death by her husband; parents; brothers, Francis, James and Daniel and a sister, Catherine.
The family is grateful to the loving staff of Siena, In Home Services and Heartland Hospice.
Funeral Mass, 11 a.m. Monday, January 28, 2019 at St. Bernadette Catholic Church, 2400 Bell Avenue, Rockford, with Reverend Bruce Ludeke as celebrant. Visitation 10 a.m. until time of service at the church. Burial in Calvary Catholic Cemetery, Winnebago, following luncheon. In honor of Marie, the family suggests memorial contributions to St. Bernadette’s Evangelization Ministry, 2400 Bell Avenue, Rockford, IL 61103. Arrangements entrusted to Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory, Mulford Chapel. Online condolences may be expressed at www.fitzgeraldfh.com