Renee Loretta Dudley

Renee Loretta Dudley, age 78, a long time Nevis, MN resident, passed into eternal life on Sunday, December 13, 2015 at the Essentia Health Medical Center in Fargo with her loved ones at her side. Renee was born as the eldest child to Philip and Emma (Zimmerman) Crist on May 22, 1937 in Park Rapids, MN. She attended the District # 87 Country School through the eighth grade. She then went on to attend high school in Park Rapids from where she graduated with the Class of 1955. Renee was united in marriage to Ervin Dean Dudley who was also the first born in a family of 12 on November 5, 1955. They were blessed with nine children. Renee was a wonderful cook and baker who will be long remembered for her delicious broasted chicken, potato salad, crust less pumpkin pie and homemade fry bread. She was a gracious host who always welcomed everyone into her home. She could put together a delicious homemade meal at a moment’s notice and would always invite her company to stay by saying “I’ll just add a little more water to the soup”. She worked as a cook for 33 years at the Dorset Café where her broasted chicken became legendary. In her spare time, Renee loved to crochet and made many gifts for her family and friends. She was a member of the First English Lutheran Church in Dorset, MN. She loved working outdoors in her garden where she raised beautiful flowers into colorful splendor for all to see and enjoy. She also looked forward to planting a large vegetable garden where she nurtured her vegetables and berries into fruitful abundance to can for her large family. For many years she was a member of the Park Rapids Women’s Bowling League and also played catcher for the Dorset Dollies Women’s Softball team. She was a fanatical MN Twin and Vikings Fan and would write down all the stats of each game to discuss with family and friends. Above all, Renee devoted her life to her husband, children and grandchildren who she loved with all her heart. She will be lovingly remembered by her husband for the past 60 years, Ervin of Nevis; 8 children: Darrel (Sheila) Dudley of Eatonville, WA, Steve (Diane) Dudley of Nevis, Deb Tyge of Menahga, Shirley (Chuck) Dennis of Akeley, MN, Kathy (Keith) Becker of Park Rapids, Dwayne (Jeannette) Dudley, Gary (Tammy) Dudley and David (Janie) Dudley all of Nevis; 54 grandchildren and great grandchildren; 7 siblings: Philip (Rita) Crist of Helena, MT, Carolyn Olson of Park Rapids, Larry (Robert) Crist of Huntsville, TX, Phylis Cantrell of Ft. Myers, FL, Marvin Crist of Lawton, OK, Richard (Linda) Crist of Las Vegas, NV and Jim (Lisa) Crist of Akeley, MN as well as many nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends. Renee was preceded in death by her son, Lonnie Dudley who died in 1999; 4 brothers: Adrian, Elton, Allan and Charles and l sister, Vivian. Memorial service will be held 6 PM Saturday, December 19, 2015 at First English Lutheran Church in Dorset, MN. Urn bearers will be Jeff Hanson and Sandy Phillips and honorary urn bearers will be Renee’s grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the church on Saturday. To leave online condolences or to view the video tribute please visit www.jonespearson.com.