LuElla “Lu” Rickard, age 96 of Hudson died Thursday, January 2, 2014 at Comforts of Home in Hudson. Lu was born on October 17, 1917 in Hastings, Minnesota; the daughter of John and Margaret (Frandrup) Freiermuth. She was raised in Vermillion where she attended school. On June 15, 1937, she was united in marriage to Edward “Buzz” Rickard at Guardian Angels Catholic Church in Hastings. They made their home in St. Paul and were blessed with three boys and a girl.  The family moved to Grantsburg, WI and added to their family two more boys and a girl.  In 1964, the Rickard’s made Hudson their home. Lu loved being a homemaker to her family. She enjoyed knitting, making crafts, playing cards and travel. She was an active member at St. Patrick’s and took pleasure for singing in their Hope Choir.  

Lu will remain in the hearts of her children, John (Connie) Rickard of Star Prairie, Robert (Diane) Rickard of Cumberland, Larry (Diana) Rickard of Woodville, Mary (Duane) Johnson of Soldotna, AK, Paul (Jean) Rickard of Woodville and Patti White of Ft. Lauderdale, FL; daughter-in-law, Karen Rickard of Hudson; 14 grandchildren; 19 great grandchildren; one great-great grandchild; brother, Frances Freiermuth of Georgia; and extended family. She was preceded in death by her husband of 63 years, Buzz; son, James; parents, John and Margaret (Frandrup) Freiermuth; brothers, Alfred and Johnny; and her sisters, Alvina and LaVerna.

Mass of Christian Burial for Lu Rickard will be 11:00 AM Friday, January 10th at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Hudson with Fr. John Gerritts officiating. Burial will be in the parish cemetery with her grandchildren serving as casketbearers. Visitation will be on Thursday from 5:00 until 7:00 PM with a prayer service at 6:45 PM at the O’Connell Family Funeral Home of Hudson, as well as one hour prior to the Mass at church on Friday morning. Memorials preferred to St. Patrick’s Catholic Church for Masses to be said in her memory.