Margaret Z Rudsinski, 97 of Odessa, FL, formerly of Marengo, IL, went home to be with the Lord on March 25, 2021. She was born in 1924 in Carpentersville, IL to William and Minnie Zierk. During her elementary years, she attended Immanuel Lutheran School in Dundee, IL. Margaret was editor of the Dundee Community High School newspaper The Alcardee Herald and graduated as class valedictorian, in 1942. For the next eight years, she was employed as a bookkeeper for the Ben Franklin store in Dundee. In 1950, Margaret married Harold Rudsinski at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Dundee, IL. They made their home on a dairy farm in Marengo, IL for nearly fifty years. In addition to being a busy farm wife, Margaret was employed as secretary to the superintendent and bookkeeper for Marengo Elementary School District #165 for over 26 years. After retirement, she and Harold moved to Ft. Myers, FL. When her husband passed away in 2005, Margaret relocated to Odessa, FL to be near her family.
She is preceded in death by her husband Harold Rudsinski, granddaughter Kim Rudsinski, sister Vernelda Kolze and parents William and Minnie Zierk.
Margaret was a Christian by faith and was a member of Messiah Lutheran Church in Tampa, FL. She enjoyed spending time in daily devotions, as well as journaling, collecting angels, cooking, baking and visiting with family and friends. She hoped to leave a legacy for future generations by writing her memoirs and preserving some of her most treasured recipes in a cookbook.
Margaret is survived by her daughter and devoted caregiver, Margaret Ruth (Glen) Almcrantz of Odessa, FL; son Calvin (Carol) Rudsinski of St. Louis, MO and grandchildren, Sara Almcrantz, Jason Almcrantz and Amy Rudsinski, as well as many special family and friends.
A celebration of Margaret’s life was held on March 29 at Messiah Lutheran Church, in Tampa. A private service will be held for Margaret at Zion Lutheran Church Memorial Gardens in Ft. Myers, FL at a later date. Memorial contributions may be made to Messiah Lutheran Church, 14920 Hutchison Rd., Tampa, FL 33625 or Zion Lutheran Church, 401 Jackson St. Marengo, IL 60152.