Mildred "Millie" Marie Ruder

Millie was born and raised on the family farm outside of Spearville, Kansas, to Albert and Barbara Burghart, the 4th of 8 children. Millie told of the hard work as well as the fun growing up on the farm and attending school in Spearville. We believe this is where she learned the amazing work ethic she had. Millie loved her family and spoke about how well all her siblings got along. This has proven true with the tri annual Burghart Reunions where her family gathers in various places around the country. The Burghart family has an amazing love for each other that is being carried down through the generations.

Millie attended Marymount College in Salina, KS and received a degree in Nursing. While attending a wedding dance she met Norman Ruder, who would become the love of her life! They dated for a while until Norm was sent to Korea to serve in the Army. Millie waited for Norm to return, and they married in 1955.

Norm’s career in Sales took the family to live in Denver, Billings, Boise, Anaheim, and Bakersfield. In every place they lived Millie worked as a surgical nurse with a love for vascular surgery. Her last job of 23 years was at San Joaquin Hospital (Adventist Health) assisting with open heart surgery. Millie took pride in the work she did in helping to pioneer heart surgery in Bakersfield and was known as ‘Mother Millie’ to her coworkers.

When she retired, Millie took up quilting and embroidery and made many beautiful quilts and embroidered towels to share with family and friends. Norm and Millie enjoyed traveling in their motorhome to attend special events and visit extended family throughout the country. They especially enjoyed their occasional trips to Hawaii and Mexico. Millie was a wonderful cook and passed her love of cooking to all her children.

Millie and Norm spent their retirement years in Kingman, AZ where they enjoyed golf and making new friends. They returned to Bakersfield in 2013 to help their daughter Lisa deal with cancer. They were devastated to lose her in 2016.

Millie is preceded in death by her husband Norm and daughter Lisa. She is survived by her two brothers: Francis Burghart of Houston, TX and Richard Burghart (Annette) of McPherson, KS; sister-in-Law Lorraine Cook of Fort Myers, FL; Sons: Mike (Liz) of Murphy, TX, Mark (Robin) of Bakersfield, Marty (Renee) of Bakersfield; Grandchildren: John-Michael Ruder (Meredith), Jenna Ruder Mullen (Hugh), Brice Ruder (Natalie), Amanda Ruder, Craig Sutton (Molly), Leslie Sutton and six great-grandchildren along with many relatives and friends. Millie will be greatly missed by all those she leaves behind.

The family would like to thank the staff at The Gables Residential Care and Bristol Hospice for the loving and excellent care they gave our Mom over her last few years.

A mass will be held to celebrate Millie’s life at 10:00am on June 1, 2023, at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church 900 H Street, Bakersfield, CA 93304.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.hillcrestmemorial.com for the Ruder family.