Jean O. Ludes (Cruce)

Jean O. Ludes (Cruce), aged 99, passed away peacefully on January 6, 2026, in Tustin, California, with her loving family by her side. Jean was born on December 10, 1926, in Fulton, Kentucky, to Raymond and Georgie Lee Cruce. After graduating from Salina High School, she began her professional journey at the telephone company. It was during this time that she met and married William Ludes, the son of Genevieve and Bernard Ludes from Salina, Kansas. Bernard worked at Planters State Bank and owned Ludes Liquor Store on E. Iron. 

Jean and William, affectionately known as Bill, made it a priority that their six children remained connected to their Kansas roots. After relocating their family to Southern California, where Bill began his career as an elementary school teacher, they spent their summers in Salina, ensuring that their children grew up knowing their extended Kansas family. These summers were filled with joyful memories at the Salina Country Club's golf course and swimming pool, lively fish fries at Smokey Hill Park, and frequent visits to the Cozy Inn, all in the company of over twenty-five cousins.

Jean’s family owned Cruce Produce on South 4th Street, and she was proud of her heritage. In California, Jean established a remarkable career in Human Resources at I. Magnin and Saks Fifth Avenue, earning respect as hardworking and extremely knowledgeable in her field. Following her retirement, she moved to Garden City, Kansas, where she worked alongside her brother, Cotton, at Cruce Produce. She managed the front office and cherished the fond memories she created there.

Jean was a devoted mother and grandmother who loved her children and grandchildren deeply and was loved by all in return.  She was fun, smart, and spirited, always thoughtfully engaging in conversation with both young and old.  Jean had a great sense of style, a wry sense of humor, and loved to laugh, play cards, and spend time with family. 

Jean was preceded in death by her beloved husband, William, who passed away in 1988, and by her son, Mark, who passed in 2022. She is survived by her children: Carol Savoy of Glendale, Arizona; Rick Ludes of Mission Viejo, California; Janie Vasilia of Tustin, California; Jeff Ludes of Newport Beach, California; and Brad Ludes of Santa Ana, California. In addition to her children, Jean leaves behind a legacy of 20 grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren, and 4 great-great-grandchildren.

During the last two decades of her life, Jean resided primarily in the Phoenix, Arizona area, where she developed many cherished friendships with her neighbors and Arizona family members. Her warmth, kindness, and energetic spirit touched all who knew her. She will be dearly missed and forever remembered in the hearts of her family and friends.

Jean will be buried next to her husband William in a private ceremony in the Mt. Calvary Cemetery, Salina. 

Proverbs 31:10-31

IX. Poem on the Woman of Worth

10 Who can find a woman of worth?
    Far beyond jewels is her value.
11 Her husband trusts her judgment;
    he does not lack income.
12 She brings him profit, not loss,
    all the days of her life.
13 She seeks out wool and flax
    and weaves with skillful hands.
14 Like a merchant fleet,
    she secures her provisions from afar.
15 She rises while it is still night,
    and distributes food to her household,
    a portion to her maidservants.
16 She picks out a field and acquires it;
    from her earnings she plants a vineyard.
17 She girds herself with strength;
    she exerts her arms with vigor.
18 She enjoys the profit from her dealings;
    her lamp is never extinguished at night.
19 She puts her hands to the distaff,
    and her fingers ply the spindle.
20 She reaches out her hands to the poor,
    and extends her arms to the needy.
21 She is not concerned for her household when it snows—
    all her charges are doubly clothed.
22 She makes her own coverlets;
    fine linen and purple are her clothing.
23 Her husband is prominent at the city gates
    as he sits with the elders of the land.
24 She makes garments and sells them,
    and stocks the merchants with belts.
25 She is clothed with strength and dignity,
    and laughs at the days to come.
26 She opens her mouth in wisdom;
    kindly instruction is on her tongue.
27 She watches over the affairs of her household,
    and does not eat the bread of idleness.
28 Her children rise up and call her blessed;
    her husband, too, praises her:
29 “Many are the women of proven worth,
    but you have excelled them all.”
30 Charm is deceptive and beauty fleeting;
    the woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
31 Acclaim her for the work of her hands,
    and let her deeds praise her at the city gates.

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