Maureen Sheila Rump

Maureen Sheila Rump, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great‑grandmother, and friend, entered her eternal rest in the loving arms of her Savior, Jesus Christ. She was preceded in death by her parents, John Dayton and Ernestine Torrence, and by her infant granddaughter, Kathryn Hooge.

Maureen was born in Fort Bragg, California, where her childhood was shaped by the rugged beauty of the redwoods. Her father worked as a redwood logger, and her mother cared for their home. Maureen often reminisced about finding a simple stick, tying on a bit of string and a hook, and heading down to the stream to fish—an early glimpse of her resourcefulness and joy in life’s simple pleasures.

Her family later moved to Crescent City, California, where she attended Del Norte High School. It was there that she first met Richard, the young man who would one day become the love of her life. Though she initially saw him only as a friend, God brought them back together after college, and their friendship blossomed into a lifelong love. Maureen excelled in school, she was an honor student, serving as captain of the drill team and being elected Homecoming Queen by her peers. She graduated in 1963 and continued her education at Humboldt State, where she earned her RN degree.

Maureen and Richard were married on July 27, 1968, beginning a 57‑year journey filled with devotion, partnership, and deep affection. Maureen worked as a nurse in the ICU and emergency room, caring for patients with skill and compassion. After moving to Texas in 1973 for Richard’s job with Texas Instruments, she continued nursing on weekends so she could devote her weekdays to raising their children.

Family was the heart of Maureen’s life. She delighted in every soccer game, football game, basketball game, baseball and softball season, volleyball match, and choir concert. Her favorite titles were wife, Mom, Gramma, Grammie and Great‑Gramma, and she wore each of them with pride and has all of the sweatshirts to prove it. She loved to brag about her husband, children, grandchildren, and great‑grandchildren, celebrating every milestone and accomplishment. Maureen made sure her family knew she loved them bunches and bunches!

Maureen is survived by her devoted husband, Richard; her daughter Julia Kieser, husband Steve, and their children Stephen (Yadshiri), Rebecca Lough (Levi), Jonathan (Violette), Nathan (Cosette), Abigail Merritt (John), Miriam, and Bethany; her daughter Jennifer Hooge, husband Paul, and their children Colleen, Matthew, and Anna; her son Paul and his daughter Elizabeth; and fourteen great‑grandchildren who brought her endless joy. Maureen is also survived by her brother Dayton Torrence (Phyllis) and her sister Colleen Stone (Rick).

Since 1974, Maureen and Richard have been faithful members of Faith Lutheran Church, where they formed friendships that became family. Maureen attended worship and Sunday School nearly every week. She was an active member in church, served on the school board and volunteered many summers with VBS. Maureen witnessed baptisms, confirmations, and weddings of her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren within those church walls. Her faith was steady and unwavering. She lived her life anchored in God’s promises of life and salvation in her baptism: in the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

Maureen will be deeply missed by her husband, children, grandchildren, great‑grandchildren, extended family, and countless friends. Her love, her laughter, and her gentle presence will be cherished every day until the joyous reunion in heaven. Praise God for His promise of forgiveness and salvation.