LISA MARIE RUD
1967 – 2025
Shortly after midnight on August 15, 2025, Lisa Marie Rud was welcomed into the arms of Jesus. Lisa took her last breath while holding the hand of her devoted husband of over twenty-nine years, Duane, and with her youngest daughter, Brittany, by her side. Lisa courageously fought stage four smallcell lung cancer for over a year and a half, beating the odds and living long enough so she could join daughter Sarah Owens in the delivery room on Thanksgiving Day and witness the birth of her youngest granddaughter, Brystol.
Lisa was born on February 20, 1967, in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania to proud parents Nicholas and Joann Augustine. Lisa was loved by her big sister Kimmy and little brothers Nicky and Michael.
In 1981, the Augustine family moved to Spring, Texas. Lisa graduated from Spring High School in 1985.
In 1992, Lisa married Kerry Harrington. Together they welcomed a bouncing baby girl, Sarah.
Though their marriage did not last forever, Kerry and Lisa’s friendship did.
Kerry spent more nights than can be counted by Lisa’s side during the time she was admitted to M.D.
Anderson.
In 1994, Lisa met Duane Rud at Field Store Rodeo in Waller, TX. Duane could not stop thinking about Lisa in her crop top and tight-fitting white Rocky Mountain jeans. On May 5,1995, Duane took Lisa out for a barbeque lunch for their first official date.
The two love birds were married on February 4, 1996. Duane’s daughters Shannon and Tiffany kept Lisa extra busy with softball and horse shows. A short time later, the happy couple welcomed Brittany, affectionately known as “Britt-Brat.” Duane and Lisa were inseparable and spent years working side by side at a Houston car lot while Brittany ran around the office and napped in a pack and play.
Duane and Lisa decided a quiet, country life was what they needed and moved to North Zulch, Texas in 2007. Lisa designed and helped build her and Duane’s dream house with plans of growing old there together. After moving to North Zulch, Duane and Lisa also loved and raised James “Tyler” Powers and Meranda McWhorter.
Lisa had a bright smile and enjoyed drinking cold beer, soaking in the pool on a warm Texas day, and sitting by a warm fire on cooler nights surrounded by her friends and family.
Lisa loved listening to The Eagles, Collin Raye, and classic rock music.
Lisa was tough as nails and could do any “man’s job” just as good or better than a man. In the blink of an eye, though, Lisa could transition into a soft woman, mother, and Mamaw.
Lisa could go from building a fence in the pasture to baking something sweet with her granddaughters.
Lisa was also the type of person who knew where everything was and always had her checkbook balanced down to the cent.
Lisa now gets to spend eternity with her daddy, Nicholas Augustine, whom she missed dearly.
We are sure there were many pets Lisa has loved over the years, including her horse, Crystal, who were excited to see her in Heaven as well.
Lisa is survived by husband, Duane Rud, mother, Joann Augustine, siblings, Kimberly Howard, Nicholas Augustine, and Michael Augustine, children, Sarah (Dually) Owens, Brittany (Josh) Rud, Shannon (Adam) Acosta, Tiffany Rud, James “Tyler” Powers, and Meranda McWhorter, grandchildren, Teagan Rud, Savannah Lynch, Hunter Lynch, Fisher Lynch, Bronx Owens, Brystol Owens, Jordan Acosta, Chad Spencer, Sophia Acosta, Abigail Spencer, Jacob Spencer, Arianna Veldanez, Jaxon Powers, Ace Powers, Armour McWhorter, and Kenslee McWhorter, many nieces, countless friends, and spoiled pets. Words cannot express how much Lisa will be missed by those left to mourn her, but we know she is with Jesus and free from any pain.
A public viewing will be held on Saturday, August 23, 2025, from 1p.m. to 2 p.m. at Day Funeral Home, located at 514 E.
Main Street, Madisonville, TX 77864. A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, August 23, 2025, at 2 p.m. following the viewing. Please wear Lisa’s favorite colors, blue or dark green. Please join the family at the Rud home in North Zulch for a warm meal and a cold beer in Lisa’s memory. A private interment of ashes will follow at a later date.
The family would like to extend our sincere gratitude to the dedicated staff of MD Anderson, the incredible nurses with Hospice Brazos Valley, sweet caretakers with Caring Companions, and Lisa’s dear friend Tracy Rodriguez who all helped care for Lisa throughout her illness and in her last days on Earth.
Please send flowers to Day Funeral Home at 514 E. Main Street, Madisonville, TX 77864. Daisies were Lisa’s favorite flowers, but any and all flowers will be appreciated.
