Randee Susann Hudson

August 19, 1951 - August 16, 2022

Randee Susann Hudson, 70, passed away on August 16, 2022 in Mayville, WI after a glioblastoma diagnosis earlier this year.

She was born August 19, 1951 to Roland and Isabelle [nee Hedman] Stapf of Pierre, SD. In 1957, widow Isabelle (daughters: Randee and Sheryl) married widower William Elliott (sons: Bill Jr., Burt and Bernie). The family later moved to the Elliott farm near Barnard, SD. Randee earned teaching and library degrees from Northern State College (SD) and Western Michigan University. She married her high school sweetheart, Jeffrey Hudson, at Plymouth Congregational Church in Aberdeen, SD in 1973. They had two daughters, were married nearly forty years, and resided in Libertyville, IL; Weston, CT; and Antioch, IL. Randee worked passionately throughout her forty year career in public and school libraries including Tomlinson (Fairfield, CT) and Millburn (Wadsworth, IL). She retired to Ft. Myers, FL in 2013 and enjoyed traveling with her family.

Randee is survived by daughters Emily (Ben) Artin of Wisconsin and Amanda (Chris) Cintron of Oregon; six grandchildren: Abigail, Elliott, Rebecca, Elizabeth, Gabriel and Christian; sister Sheryl Novacek of Minnesota; brother Burt (Sherrie) Elliott of South Dakota; brother Bernie (Brenda) Elliott of Minnesota; sister-in-law Donna Elliott of Arizona; sister-in-law Shelly Fiekens of South Dakota; and many other family and friends. She was preceded in death by her husband, Jeff Hudson, and brother, Bill Elliott.

Private services will be held at a later date. As a retired children’s librarian and avid gardener, donations will go toward a granite book memorial at a favorite place that combined these loves, Bookworm Gardens (WI).

Randee Susann Hudson, 70, passed away on August 16, 2022 in Mayville, WI after a glioblastoma diagnosis earlier this year. She was born August 19, 1951 to Roland and Isabelle [nee Hedman] Stapf of Pierre, SD. In 1957, widow Isabelle (daughters: Randee and Sheryl) married widower William Elliott (sons: Bill Jr., Burt and Bernie). TheContinue Reading

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A memorial tree was planted in memory of Randee Hudson . Plant a Tree

Randee and I were classmates and neighbors. I won't say we were close but in a class of 37, nobody is a stranger. Randee was bright, strong and determined. There were no girls' sports at Frederick High School and Randee decided that we needed a drill team. She threw herself into the effort with confidence and without any adult support as far as I know. In the end, there was a drill team, probably the only one in the conference. I am sad we will not meet again.

Randee and I met on the first day of 3rd grade and became instant and forever friends. Nearly all of my happiest childhood memories include her. As adults, she remained a dear friend even though we lived several states apart. One of the greatest gifts in life is friendship and I received that gift from Randee for 63 years. I will miss you forever and always, dear friend.

In honor of Randee, a true friend. She will be so missed!

A memorial tree was planted in memory of Randee Hudson . Plant a Tree

I am so saddened to hear about Randee. I worked for her in the Millburn Library. She was an amazing librarian, a wonderful Mom and a loving Grandmother. She became one of my truest friends and I feel so blessed that she was in my life.

Peace of mind is a call away. We’re here when you need us most.

A memorial tree was planted in memory of Randee Hudson . Plant a Tree

Randee was a gem. Though I barely knew her because of physical distance, she was married to my cousin Jeff. We met while Jeff was in assisted living, staying at their house along the Fox River. Even though having a lot on her mind, she chose books for our bedside that were a perfect match for each of us-the epitome of the librarian. Most recently she sent us a book to have for us to share with our new granddaughter-an illustrated version of Louis Armstrong’s What a Wonderful. She did not know we had just given the new parents a framed photo of Avila, the new baby juxtaposed on the lyrics of said song. Our note of thanks to Randee was our last contact. Mike and Judi Bucci Gaithersburg MD

Many happy memories of my cousin Randee making me as the youngest of the cousin gang feel welcome and sharing her books, which I also loved. Big hugs to all family. 💕💔

I’m so sorry to hear about Randee’s passing. She was a special person to the May family because as a sister to Burt, who is our brother-in-law and uncle, she was automatically family. Your whole family is in my prayers.

Randee was an amazing librarian who brought so much passion to her work. She wanted nothing more than to invite students to love to read and, to that end, she stayed on top of young adult literature and brought it to life for students and teachers alike. She supported my teaching each and every day. She meant so much to me from the very first day I started working at Millburn. Rest easy dear friend.

Randee was my partner as one of the original planners of the idea of a school vegetable garden. She enthusiastically responded when I floated the idea at a staff meeting 23 years ago. She supported me as we cheerfully dreamed of the many components, book connections, joyful children, and enlightened teachers a place like that would embrace. She and I brainstormed an apple orchard: a truly difficult feat but one to which we aspired. Randee wrote two grants with me which bestowed garden books for the library and the tools for students to break ground to plant. The courtyard outside the library was the garden's first "greenhouse". Although she never had a chance to plant in it herself, Randee will always be part of the Millburn School and Community Garden, and a part of my fond memory as a comrade in soil. My love, Regina -Garden Director

I am a rather newbie to the family. I am Randee’s newest sister-in-law. From the moment we met Randee and I had several connections. I taught elem. school for 40 years and love children’s books. We often talked children’s books. Later we found out we both really like goats. We were trying to convince Ben to have one on his farm. I will really miss Randee and am so sad she has passed away. It is a loss to our family.

I am very sorry to learn of Randee’s passing. She was one of a kind, my life is enriched by knowing her. My prayers go out all of you.

My deepest sympathy to her family and friends. I worked with Randee in the library at Millburn school in Wadswoth, IL. I have many fond memories of Randee, but my favorite has to be the speech she gave each class that visited the library every year. `There is no throwing up in the library!' It always made me chuckle! She was an amazing woman and it was my pleasure to have worked with her

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