Obituary of Charlene Fae Rudiger

Charlene Fae Mossburg Miller Rudiger was born at Monument, Kansas to a wheat and sheep farmer on June 16, 1931. Having experienced the Great Depression in western Kansas, she knew hardship at an early age. She loved riding on tractors with her father, and being daddy’s little helper with all outside chores. The family moved to Elizabeth in 1946 to farm. After graduating top of her class in 1949 from Elizabeth High School, she married Lewis Everett Miller from a long time ranch family in Elbert County. Having two children (Sue Ann 1950 and Richard Lewis 1954) born to this union, the family moved to Wiggins, CO to farm and milk cows. Lewis died in 1957 as a result of a farm accident. Widowed at age 26 with two young children to raise, she took the job of secretary for the Wiggins School Dist. She also worked part-time as a waitress and postal clerk. She was always proud of the fact that she did not go on welfare or take food stamps. In 1971, Ralph Rudiger of Castle Rock contacted her after the loss of his wife several years earlier. Ralph had been her bus driver at Elizabeth in high school. They married in 1971 and she moved to Castle Rock to become the payroll clerk for Douglas County Schools. She retired in 1986 and soon moved to Concordia, Kansas to care for her parents in their old age. After they and Ralph passed on, she moved back to Brighton, Colorado to be closer to her children and grandchildren. She stayed busy being the president of her homeowners association for many years. Later, suffering from Alzheimer, she moved in with her son at Kiowa in 2014. She loved dogs, camping, and motorcycles. Being resourceful and very talented Charlene shingled houses, built garages, poured cement, and built a room on her house. Charlene had a unique gift of organization, and this skill earned her secretarial positions in Wiggins, and Douglas County schools. She always amazed people years ago when she could type 120 words per minute without mistakes. Charlene lived her life with integrity, honesty, hard work, and compassion. CHARLENE FAE MOSSBURG Born June 16, 1931 Monument, Kansas Lived on western Kansas farms until 1945 Moved to Elizabeth, Colo. in 1945 1949 Graduated High School Married Lewis Everett Miller 1949 Daughter Sue Ann 1950 Son Richard Lewis 1954 Moved to farm at Wiggins 1955 Husband Lewis died from farm accident 1957 Secretary to Wiggins School Dist. 1958-1972 Married Ralph Rudiger of Castle Rock 1971 Payroll clerk Douglas Co. Schools 1972-1986 Retired 1986 moved to Concordia, Kansas 1988 1998 Ralph died 2000 moved to Brighton, Colo 2014 moved to Kiowa, Colo Charlene was preceded in death by her Husband – Lewis E. Miller, Husband – Ralph Rudiger, Father – Edwin Mossburg, Mother – Arlene Mossburg, Daughter – Sue Ann DeKowzan, Daughter-in-law – Sharon K. Miller. She is survived by her Son – Richard Lewis (Deanna) Miller. Grandson – Quentin Lewis Miller. Grandson – Garrett Wayne ( Trinette) Miller, and Great-grandson – Brock Lewis Miller, all of Kiowa. A Memorial Service will be held Monday, January 30, 2017, 2:00 pm at Mountain View Church in Kiowa. Final Resting Place will be Elizabeth Cemetery. Service Information