Monday, September 11, 2023, in a hospital in Fargo, North Dakota, Carmen LaRae Ruud passed away and was ushered into the arms of the Lord. Carmen’s parents, Clara (Moseng) Hauck and Budd Redding, welcomed her into the world on June 26, 1972, and she was christened and confirmed at Hjerdal Church. Carmen’s upbringing was spent in the rural areas of Velva, North Dakota. She went to Velva Public School and participated in volleyball and hurdle races. She was a saxophonist, pianist, and choir singer.
Her dedication to and success in band and choir during her final year earned her the John Philip Sousa Award. She completed college in the spring of 1990. Carmen has a background in hairstyling and a certificate in medical coding from Minot, North Dakota’s Minot State University. Carmen loved being a hairstylist so much that she kept doing it for friends and family long after she switched professions.
At a Fourth of July rodeo in Towner, North Dakota, Carmen met her future husband, “Bossman” Jeffrey Ruud. They tied the knot on a family farm in Parshall, North Dakota, on August 5, 2000.
Carmen’s four sons, Garrett (born in 1997), Jace (born in 2001), and twins Logan and Alex (born in 2004), were the center of her world, and she devoted her life to them. Carmen called herself “Mama Ruud” with great pride and “mama’d” anyone who visited the ranch. Carmen enjoyed commemorating every victory and achievement, no matter how modest, of her sons. To put it simply, she was their biggest fan.
Carmen Rudd Obituary
Carmen Rudd died on 11 September 2023 in a hospital, in Fargo. Carmen’s radiant smile, infectious laughter, and witty “one-liners” were legendary. Everyone she met was a priority for her. Carmen was a fantastic caregiver and also proved to be a tough competitor in the realm of the cowboys.
The best left-handed roper on the all-girl ranch rodeo team, she also enjoyed rodeos, Towner racetrack pony racing, farming with combines and tractors, hunting, her role as branding pen boss, and fishing, especially her time spent in Alaska and at the Women On The Water ND Tournament.
Carmen was an excellent chef. She took great pride in feeding the cowboys, and she was known for expanding their culinary horizons. Making lefse was a fun activity that Carmen enjoyed doing with her family and friends. Carmen was a huge animal lover, especially of dogs and horses. She was skilled in many artistic pursuits, particularly gardening, leatherwork, and beading.
On May 3 of that year (2021), Carmen was given a diagnosis of pancreatic cancer. Carmen met that diagnosis head-on with her cowgirl “kickass” attitude. Carmen rang the bell at Roger Maris Cancer Center on December 27, 2021, hoping that she wouldn’t have to see the nurses’ and doctors’ faces again despite being so grateful for everything they had done for her.
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Four months later the cancer had reappeared and had spread to her liver. Throughout the entire process of surgery and chemo treatments, Carmen had an enthusiastic, positive mindset often commenting, “There’s always, always, always something to be thankful for”. Carmen always looked to give back to others in every scenario and that thought process informed her cancer treatment options. Carmen was a perfect example of how to continue to live with happiness and joy even in an imperfect life.
Carmen was preceded in death by her sons Garrett Hoelscher and Alex Ruud. What a joyous reunion they’ve had. For more information, you can join us on our Twitter account.