Lucille Helen Heding

On February 12, 2019, our beloved mother, grandmother, great grandmother, aunt and friend, Lucille Helen (Ruidl) Heding entered the mystery of eternal life. Lucille was born on November 28, 1927 to Otto and Helen (Jungen) Ruidl in West Allis, WI. She attended St. Aloysius Catholic School and Pius XI High School. She worked in the office at Allis Chalmers, but her primary occupation was “Mom.”

On October 9, 1948, she married Robert Heding. Together they raised six children: Tom (Linda) Heding, Susie (deceased), Maggie, Jim, Barb (Sheldon Roohr) and Chris. There are five grandchildren, Douglas (Angela), Daniel (Christina), Christine (Ryan Pluta) James (Ashley) and Michael. Her great grandchildren are Preston, Nora, Avery, Jacob, Daniel and Hannah. Other survivors include nieces, nephews and friends.

Lucy was predeceased by her husband Bob, daughter Susie, parents and her “big brother” Harold Ruidl and his wife Jean, and her sister Phyllis and her husband Bob along with other relatives and friends.

The primary joy in Lucille’s life was her family. She was a hard worker, always doing things for others. Her family was always her priority, always giving with a full heart. She volunteered at her parish, Immaculate Heart of Mary, particularly in the senior card circle. As a devout Catholic, she instilled these Catholic values and religious traditions in her children. Lucy loved life and simple pleasures like picnics where her famous cole slaw and potato salad were always a big hit. One never saw her without hearing her laugh.

Lucille loved car rides, trips to Potawatomi Casino, the cousins’ “lost weekends”, visiting relatives in Jefferson, the Dells and trips to Florida with Phyllis.  Caring for her grandchildren brought her great joy as did the arrival of her great grandchildren.

Other pleasures included puzzles, cards and games, particularly Yahtzee. It was a great celebration when one of the kids could beat her for she rarely lost. She loved watching the birds, a good drink, especially scotch and a good joke.

She wanted Chris to date her friend Mike and was very pleased when they began a relationship. Mike was a good friend and extra “son.” Mike faithfully brought her Communion each week for the past year and a half.

Lucy was a strong woman and strong-willed to the end.  Before her last hospitalization, she refused to leave home before finishing her supper. She had her priorities and food came before hospitals!

As she entered hospice care, Lucy was at peace, acknowledging that she had had a good life and was ready to go. She visited with her family and prayed numerous times with them. She then gathered them all for her final words of wisdom and love.  She spoke to each of her children individually, giving them their “marching orders” and kissing them goodbye. As the goodbyes were completed and the children were crying, Lucille, in her own humorous style said, “Someone tell a dirty joke!” That broke the ice and everyone laughed. She waved to them, blowing kisses and went to sleep, leaving this world the following evening.

Her love for family is her legacy and her final words to “take care of each other” a reflection of how she lived her faith and life. She set the example for us. We honor her memory by living her final words, which are a reflection of Jesus’ Great Commandment, “Love one another as I have loved you.” (John 13:34)

Funeral Services will be held at Krause Funeral Home, 12401 West National Avenue, New Berlin, Wisconsin on Thursday, February 21, 2019. Visitation will be held from 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM with the Funeral Service at 6:00 PM.  Burial will be private.

The family wishes to thank the staff at  Zilber Family Hospice for their compassionate care.

Memorial donations to Zilber Family Hospice would be appreciated.