Ernestine "Toni" Rudd

In the early hours of April 26, 2024, Ernestine “Toni” Rudd passed away at Samaritan Hospice in Mount Holly, NJ. She was 96 years old. All those who knew her called her “Toni”, as this was her preferred name. Toni was born June 27, 1927 in Munich, Germany. She was the fifth child of Theresia Hillmeier and Leonhard Graetz. Toni’s mother passed away in 1929, when she was only 2 years old. Her oldest sister, Betty, helped raise her and was like a mother to her. After completing her school years, Toni apprenticed as an office clerk. These skills helped her obtain employment with the United States government after WWII. This was where she met her future husband and love of her life, Nathan E. Rudd, Jr. Nathan was stationed in Germany following the war. He wooed Toni with chocolate and his charming personality until she finally gave in and they began dating. They married in Munich on October 21,1948. Nathan was transferred back to America in December 1948, and there they welcomed their first born child, Theresa M. Rudd, who was born in Philadelphia in 1949. Toni gave birth to their second daughter, Barbara, in August of 1950. Nathan’s sister, Marian Pilgrim, took Toni under her wing and treated her like a sister. Toni and Nathan had two more children, Michael in 1956 and Stephanie in 1965. Toni and Nathan were married for 63 years until his death in 2012. Toni was very intelligent and taught herself to speak and write the English language. She worked for the U.S. Federal government as a secretary for many years. Her last job was at Walson Army Hospital before retiring in October 1987. Toni was an amazing cook and baker. She often prepared Sunday family dinners with authentic German dishes. Christmas was a special time and Toni made dozens and dozens of different recipes of Christmas cookies. She would give tins of cookies to family and friends. Toni was an excellent seamstress and made a lot of her children’s clothes. She learned to sew from her father who was a tailor by trade. Toni also enjoyed working in her garden, and every year her beautiful Peonies would bloom. She was an animal lover and owned several dogs in her lifetime. Toni was a devout Catholic throughout her life. She and Nathan sang in the Sacred Heart Church choir in Mount Holly for over 20 years. Toni is predeceased by her loving husband, Nathan E. Rudd, Jr. her son, Michael E. Rudd, her daughter, Barbara “Nettie” Wright, her brother Leonard “Harty” Graetz, her sisters Barbara “Betty” Grafwallner, Sofie Mayer, Elfriede “Fritzi” Bellamy, and Hannelore Otten. Toni is survived by her daughters Theresa Rudd (Nick Montegna, Jr.) and Stephanie Rudd, grandson Eric Wright, granddaughters Andrea Ramsey (Chris) and Keira Rudd, and many nieces, nephews, and cousins both in the United States and Germany. Visitation with the family will be held on Thursday, May 2nd from 6:00-8:00 pm at Perinchief Chapels on 438 High Street in Mount Holly. Funeral Mass will be at 11:00 am on Friday, May 3rd at Sacred Heart Church in Mount Holly with burial following at Brigadier General William C. Doyle Memorial Cemetery in Wrightstown, NJ.

Ernestine "Toni" Rudd

June 27, 1927 - April 26, 2024