Harriette Rudd, an Indiana native but long-time Madisonville resident, died on 11-20-2016. She was 90 years old.

Forming a strong familial bond not only with her husband, but her Rudd in-laws as well, she moved to Madisonville as a young wife and mother in 1955. Though she started as a stranger new to town, she developed a wide circle of friends over many years, read 3 newspapers every day, was active in the First United Methodist Church for more than 60 years, entertained friends and family with her keen sense of humor, and was especially knowledgeable about current events and politics.

Harriette Ann Hinch Rudd was born September 6, 1926 in the Howell neighborhood of Evansville, IN, the youngest of 4 children. The children received loving attention not only from their parents, but also 3 sets of aunts and uncles, an additional aunt and grandmother – most of whom lived in the neighborhood. After losing her mother at 11 years old, she and her siblings were taken in and raised by their beloved unmarried Aunt Lelah, who insisted the children not be split up among other aunts and uncles, all childless themselves. Their father lived nearby and was always active in their daily lives.

Like each of her siblings, she graduated from J. E. Reitz High School in Evansville. Following graduation in 1944, she went to work at the local ticket office of the L & N Railroad.

At twenty-three, six months after being introduced on a blind date by mutual friends, she became engaged to marry Charles A. Rudd of Nashville, who was working in Henderson, KY at the time. Pictures of the young couple taken at the time express the hope of all the happy years to come. They were married in1949 in Evansville. The young couple lived briefly in Nashville, Knoxville, and Memphis before settling in Madisonville. They were married 63 years until Mr. Rudd's death in 2012.

Mrs. Rudd is survived by a son and daughter-in-law, Allen and Pamela Rudd of Madisonville, and 2 grandchildren, Sarah Rudd and Mason Rudd. She was preceded in death by a daughter, Ann R. Weltner.

The funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. on Friday, November 25, 2016 at First United Methodist Church in Madisonville with Rev. Dale Carden officiating. Burial to follow at Odd Fellows Cemetery in Madisonville. Harris Funeral Home in Madisonville is in charge of the arrangements.

Visitation will be from 11 a.m. until the funeral hour Friday at the church.

Expressions of sympathy may be made in Harriette's memory to the First United Methodist Church in Madisonville.