Lynda J. Rude

Lynda J. Rude passed away peacefully on September 10, 2026. She will be lovingly remembered by her husband of 52 years, Jon, children Matthew & Jennifer, grandchildren Elaine & Rylan, and countless family and friends.

Born Lynda Jean Rylander on November 10, 1951 on St. Paul’s east side to parents William L. & Marlys E. Rylander, Jr, she was an artistic and musical child with deep care for those around her. Beginning in elementary school and continuing through Johnson High School (go Governors!), she had a core group of friends who called themselves the “October Babies.” These friendships endured until the day she passed, over 50 years of shared highs, lows, laughs and a truly unshakable bond.

After graduation from Johnson High School in 1969, Lynda continued on to pursue a Bachelor of Arts in Child Psychology at the University of Minnesota - Twin Cities. She was a proud Gopher and had intended to pursue teaching as a career. Months after graduation, and the end of December 1973, she met Jon Rude and quickly fell in love. After 7 months, they were married on July 26, 1974, and moved to their first home in St. Paul. They welcomed their first child, Matthew, and moved to their forever home in Forest Lake, MN before welcoming their second child, Jennifer.

Lynda was made to be a mother and care for others. Rather than continue to pursue a career in education, she opted to become a stay-at-home mom until Jenny began junior high school. During this time, she spent many hours volunteering in classrooms, sharing her artistic talents, and taking classes in baking and watercolor to improve her already impressive skills (the picture above is one of her paintings from 1991). She began part-time work in 1991 as a paraprofessional at Forest Lake Elementary School. In this way she was able to ensure she was still home to see her kids off on the bus and greet them at the end of the day. She adored her work with the children at school and continued in that role (while picking up others here and there) until 2011 when she retired to begin caring for her first-born granddaughter.

In every way that Lynda was an exceptional mother, she truly blossomed as a grandmother, first to Elaine (Lainey) and then to Rylan (Rylie) 3 years later. Family meant everything to her, and she was truly the cornerstone of her family. Weekly family dinners and game nights, homemade 3D gingerbread house decorating, and Pi(e) Day celebrations (some years baking over 8 pies with her daughter and granddaughters) were among the many ways she made life special. Every day was meant to be celebrated, and she found ways, both large and small, to make sure others felt included and loved.

Lynda was a woman of great love for others, a zest for life, and a laugh that could light up a room. She will be deeply missed.

To honor her continuous care for children as well as nod to her own short cancer battle, memorials are preferred to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.