Martha "Marty" Rude

Martha Miller Peterson Rude passed away on the morning of April 8, 2022 at 5:55 a.m. at the Elms Nursing Home in Macomb. She was 71 years of age. Marty was born on June 26, 1950 at Mary Davier Hospital in LaHarpe, Illinois. She was the daughter of Harold W. (Bizz) and Helen Louise (Weze) Miller.
Marty attended a one room elemetary school in the LaHarpe district and graduated from the LaHarpe High School. She attended the University of Iowa and Carl Sandburg College and received an Associate Degree in Nursing. Marty nursed at McDonough District Hospital in the Maternity Ward and later in private practice in Galesburg. Working with newborns was the highlight of her career.
While in high school she developed a love of music. She played the flute and enjoyed the music competition. Throughout the rest of her life, she enjoyed all types of music. She was an active member of P.E.O. and served as President of her chapter. Marty was an active member of the Union Church and the Christian Church of LaHarpe and later the Maple Avenue Christian Church in Macomb.
Marty created a loving family with Rex Peterson and their two children. Their daughter was born in Texas while he was serving in the Air Force, and their son was born in Macomb.
Marty was well known for a beautiful smile and always seemed happy to meet and greet people. She loved a good joke but more often was the listener not the teller. She had an amazing laugh that would light up the room. She is survived by a daughter, Kimberly (Rich) Mueller of Macomb, and son, Kyle (Jacqueline) Peterson of Calgary, Alberta, Canada, grandsons, Brendan Mueller, Cass Peterson, and Remy Peterson. Her sister is Sara (Sam) McGrew of Champaign and brother is David (Suzanne) Miller of Rushville. Both her parents preceded her in death.
We will miss her smile and beautiful spirit but now we are grateful that she is unbound from the many physical and mental handicaps she had to endure throughout her elder years. We greatly appreciate the loving and special care she received at the Elms Nursing Home for many years. The nurses and the entire staff were so wonderful to her.
Cremation rites have been accorded. The family will meet with friends on Friday, April 29,2022 from 1:00 p.m. until 2:30 p.m. at the Clugston-Tibbitts Funeral Home in Macomb. Private family graveside services will be at Oakwood Cemetery in Macomb. Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer's Association.
You may sign the guest book and leave online condolences at clugston-tibbitts.com.

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