Edward "Ed" F. Rudiger Sr.'s Obituary
Edward “Ed” F. Rudiger, Sr., went home to be with the Lord, on Wednesday, December 3, 2025. He was born in New Orleans, LA, on October 29, 1935, an eighth generation New Orleanian, and was a descendent of Jacques Julien Esnoul Francois de Livaudais, one of the key figures in colonizing New Orleans. He lived a life marked by a deep love for his family and friends.
He is survived by his beloved wife of 61 years, Elizabeth “Betty” Jane Grass Rudiger; he was honored to have his son, Edward F. Rudiger, Jr. (Laura), of Covington, Louisiana, carry on his name, as well as having several of his grandsons and great-grandsons being named in his honor. He is also survived by his daughter Heidi Rudiger LoCicero (Brian) of Destin, Florida; grandchildren, Peyton LoCicero Trist (Beau) and Andrew Edward LoCicero (Ann Elizabeth); Patrick Robert Rudiger, and Thomas Edward Rudiger; Matthew Drachenberg (Eliece) and great-grandchildren Edward Grea LoCicero, Walker LoCicero, Elizabeth Blake Trist, James Trist, and Harvey Drachenberg. He is also survived by his sister, Mary Rudiger Galmiche, and was a favorite uncle to his nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents Alice Livaudais Rudiger and Otto J. Rudiger, Sr.; and his brother, Otto J. Rudiger, Jr. (Mary Lynn); and his sister Nancy R. Foley (Jack); and his brother-in-law, Paul Galmiche.
Ed graduated from St. Aloysius High School in New Orleans in 1954 and attended Southeastern Louisiana University in Hammond. He proudly served in the Louisiana Air National Guard. During his career he worked for the National Aeronautical Space Administration at “NASA’s” Michoud Facility, J. Ray McDermott, The Chrysler Corporation, and Mechanical Equipment Company (MECO). He retired in 1995.
He and Betty Jane lived in Metairie for twenty-two years and were parishioners of St. Christopher the Martyr Parish. He supported various Catholic charities and schools over the years. In 1997, he built their dream home on the Bogue Falaya River in Covington, Louisiana, to enjoy a slower pace of life. They enjoyed cruising up and down the river, especially at sunset. Over the years, Ed enjoyed both freshwater and saltwater fishing, birdwatching, astronomy, reading, and watching Saints football and rooting on LSU. He especially loved attending his grandchildren’s events. Two causes close to his heart were The Towers to Tunnels Foundation and St. Jude Children’s Hospital.
He will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him. In lieu of flowers, a Mass can be said in his name and/or a memorial gift can be made in Ed’s honor to the Edward F. Rudiger Memorial Scholarship at Destin High School: http://www.DestinHighSchool.org/RudigerScholarship .
Family and friends are invited to attend the funeral services at St. Peter Catholic Church, 125 E. 19th Avenue, Covington, LA on Tuesday, December 16, 2025, with visitation in church at 9:30 A.M and mass at 11:00 A.M. Interment will follow in St. Joseph Abbey Cemetery in Covington. A Celebration of Life will follow at Tchefuncte Country Club in Covington, Louisiana.
E.J. Fielding Funeral Home has been entrusted with funeral arrangements. The Rudiger family invites you to share thoughts, fondest memories, and condolences in the online guest book at https://www.ejfieldingfh.com.
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