Sandra M. “Sandi” Rude, 50, Warsaw, passed away at 7:55 a.m. Jan. 23, 2016, at Lutheran Hospital, Fort Wayne. She was born Feb. 10, 1965, in Warsaw, to Samuel W. and Mary Lou Schrader Baxter. On Oct. 2, 2981, in Warsaw, she married John Rude, who preceded her in death June 8, 1989. She is a 1983 graduate of Warsaw Community High School; and in 2000 she earned her bachelor’s degree in social work through St. Francis College, Fort Wayne. She is a lifetime Warsaw resident. She was a homemaker, taught piano lessons in her home and was a social worker with the state of Indiana. She was a member of First Christian Church; enjoyed arts and crafting and reading; animal rescuing was not only her passion it was her life’s calling – she was considered an animal whisperer by some; she loved helping people; most of all she loved spending time with her family and was especially proud to be a nana. Surviving are her mother, Mary Lou Baxter, Warsaw; a son, Gabe (and spouse Kyra) Rude, Ventura, Calif.; a daughter, Kristin (and spouse Martin) Bustamante, Warsaw; a brother, David (and spouse Roberta) Baxter, Newburgh; two sisters, Penny L. Daisy and Deloris (and spouse Joe) Clark, all of Mansfield, Ohio; three grandchildren, Trevor Deckard, Ariana “Ana” Bustamante, and Kaleyah Bustamante; her mother-in-law, Candy (and spouse Rude) Hayes, Rochester; her stepfather-in-law, Mick Hayes, Rochester; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by a granddaughter, Nathalia Rude, who died Dec.17, 2004; her father, Samuel W. Baxter, who died March 5, 2011; and her father-in-law, Jimmy Rude, who died Jan. 2, 1991. Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday at Titus Funeral Home, Warsaw, with Pastor Gary Boschain, First Christian Church, Warsaw, officiating, Burial will be in Oakwood Cemetery, Warsaw. Calling is from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home. ***** Memorials to One Dog at a Time Rescue, Inc., P.O. Box 76, Warsaw IN 46581-0076; or Cardinal Services, 504 N. Bay Drive, Warsaw, IN 46580.
