Barbara Ludden

Barbara Lee (Klukowski) Ludden was born on March 10, 1943, and went to be with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Saturday, May 20, 2023. Barbara was preceded in death by her husband, Tom; brothers, Norman, Larry, and Paul; and sister, Joyce. In 1965, Tom Ludden and Barbara married in a Catholic wedding and they went on to have three children, Lisa, Julie, and Eric. She was blessed with ten grandchildren, Alicynne, Erica, Anastasia, Isaac, Jonah, Noah, Susanna, Sophia, Blandina, and Milena; three great-grandchildren, Xavian, Blaise, and Lillian. Throughout her life, Barbara was a loving wife, mother and grandmother. In 1981, Barbara earned a master’s degree in education from Michigan State University and went on to become a substitute teacher of grades K-5 in the Jenison Public School system. Barbara was known for being authentically kind, sweet and gentle and many times in the hallways at school, her students would comment on how kind she was and that they enjoyed her classes the most. Eventually, Barbara went on to become a full-time preschool and kindergarten teacher for many years at Saints Peter and Paul Catholic School in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and it was her goal to help her students get a good start in life. After retiring from teaching, Barbara went on to become a grandmother and a great-grandmother. She was a master gardener and enjoyed working outside and loved planting flowers and had once commented that she would one day look down from heaven and see all the beautiful flowers that she had planted and helped others plant. Barbara lived a clean life and through her example, she encouraged others to live a clean life. One of Barbara’s greatest achievements is that she succeeded in passing on her Christian faith to her children. Barbara will be sorely missed, God Bless you Mom and rest in peace. 2 Timothy 4:7 - I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, May 24, 2023, at 11 a.m. at Holy Redeemer Catholic Church, 2700 Baldwin St., Jenison, with Fr. Phong Pham presiding. The burial will take place at Georgetown Township Cemetery. Relatives and friends may meet the family on Wednesday from 10-11 a.m. at church prior to the service. Those who wish may make memorial contributions to the National Breast Cancer Foundation.