Geraldine Shirley Rudd

Our mother, Geraldine Shirley Rudd, went to be with the Lord, at her home in Woodlake on April 8, 2026, at the age of 92. She was surrounded by family and caregivers. Mom was born in Fresno, California to our grandparents, Pete and Betty Schmall, on December 7, 1933. Our grandparents moved frequently, but mom attended school mainly in Sanger, California, where she met our father, Gerald Rudd. They married in Sanger and resided briefly in Oildale while our father attended barber school. Mom worked as a secretary for PG&E during that time. After having their first baby, they relocated to Woodlake, where our father, Jerry, worked as a barber for many years. After having three children, mom returned to college to continue her education. She graduated from Fresno State University in 1973, with her BS degree and later completed a certificate program in Special Education at Fresno Pacific College. Mom was a devoted teacher at Woodlake High School and taught Driver’s Education and Special Education. She later taught Driver’s Training and after retiring in 1994, she opened her own private driving school, Mineral King School of Driving, and taught driving until the age of 85.

Mom was a kind, compassionate and loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, and teacher. She was a friend to many and a member of the Grace Lutheran Church in Visalia. She loved to travel with her friend, Kay Justad and enjoyed eating at local restaurants. In her later years, she enjoyed watching old movies, “The Titanic, Dirty Dancing and My Cousin Vinny”, just to name a few and eating pizza, hamburgers, french fries, coffee, hot fudge sundaes and zebra cakes. She loved Elvis and was able to visit Graceland on one of her trips.

She was preceded in death by our grandparents, Pete and Betty Schmall, her baby sister, our father, Jerry Rudd, Toby Moore, son-in-law and many aunts and uncles and friends. She is survived by her daughters, Robbin Franich, Kevin Tucker, and Kristen Moore, grandchildren, Parris & Tyler Zeigler, Michael Nixon & Kaya, Abigail Miller, and Zackery Nixon & Cindy, Mark & Michelle Franich, Kathryn Moore, great grandchildren, Sebastian Light, Preston Nixon, Addyson Nixon, Harlow Nixon, Israel Franich, Parker Nixon, Hunter Franich, Brixson Baker, Dallas Franich, Tanner Nixon, and Conner Nixon, Ruth Franich, Maui Miller, Maryjane Franich, son-in-law’s, Mark Franich and Wally Tucker.

Mom will be missed by many and always remembered. Many thanks to her caregivers, Maria Anaya and Valerie Herrera for their excellent care and patience over the past 3 years. Many thanks to the compassionate Hospice nurses, Courtney, Rose and Sonya, neighbors, Colleen and Paul and Dr. Angelina Mallari, who will always remain close to our hearts and never forgotten for your precious love and assistance throughout mom’s illness.

Celebration of mom’s life will be held at the Woodlake Memorial Building on May 9, 2026 @11:00 am. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Seva Hospice of Visalia and Grace Lutheran Church of Visalia.