Rose Ludvigson

Rose Ludvigson, 93, of St. James, formerly of Truman, passed away peacefully on Oct. 29, 2022.

Visitation will be Friday, May 12, 2023, 10–11 a.m. at First Lutheran Church in St. James, followed by the funeral service at 11 a.m. with the Rev. Andrew Hermodson-Olsen officiating. Burial will be at Mount Hope Cemetery in St. James. A luncheon will follow the service.

Rose Marie Haler was born on Feb. 2, 1929, to Joseph and Anna (Ries) Haler in St James. She was baptized and confirmed in the St. James Catholic Church. Rose grew up on the family farm in Riverdale Township, Watonwan County, and attended rural school in District #58. She graduated from St. James High School in 1946. On May 11, 1948, she was united in marriage to Allan Lee Ludvigson at First Lutheran Church in St. James. Following their marriage, they lived in St. James until Allan contracted polio in 1952. After his recovery, they moved to Mankato, then to Truman in 1955. While in St. James, Rose worked for Dr. Glen Long, JC Penney Company, First National Bank and later at Mankato State College in Mankato. She was the school district bookkeeper and secretary to the superintendent of Truman Public Schools for 21 years and retired from Seventh District Farm Credit Services of Fairmont in 1991. She and her husband were active members of Trinity Lutheran Church in Truman. After her husband passed away in 2004, Rose returned to St. James where she joined First Lutheran Church and lived until the time of her death.

Rose enjoyed cooking, baking and trying new recipes in her adventures in entertaining others. She was active in sewing and bridge clubs. Rose attended many area concerts and plays, enjoying all that music provided, stemming from her playing the accordion in her younger years and singing in the Trinity Church choir.

She is survived by two sons, Dr. Mark (Dr. Carol Kovanda) Ludvigson of Tacoma, Wash.; and Eric (Susan) Ludvigson of White Bear Lake; two grandsons, Dr. Adam Ludvigson of Boston, Mass., and Matthew (Alison) Ludvigson of White Bear Lake; sister-in-law, Karen Haler of St. James; and nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, Rose was preceded in death by her husband, Allan; great-granddaughter, Chloe Ludvigson; sisters, Leona (Harold) Ekstrom and Ann Vale; brother, Albert; infant brother, Joseph; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Ted and Irene Ludvigson; and brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Martin and Phyllis Panzer.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to First Lutheran Church in St. James, Trinity Lutheran Church in Truman, Mayo Medical School or donor’s choice.