Lydia Ruth Neideffer

Born Lydia Ruth to Orion and Josephine (Tague) Hurlbut in Modesto, California on September 16th, 1932. Passed away June 2, 2021, in Appleton, Wisconsin.

Some of her favorite things follow:
Telling stories, family, food, fashion design, crosswords, "softie" blankets, food, world arts and music (cue spicy Latin song), rocks/shells/gems, genealogy, Grandpa Orion's stationery and office supplies, the run-off at the farm and FOOD. She was a dreamer and a funny, colorful soul who loved her family above all else and cherished her independence later in life. She could sew and wear lipstick, but she could also rock overalls and smoke a joint. She was a pretty cool granny and a good friend to many. Her most recent hope was to reunite with her son Jeff and long love Helen in heaven, and together they would prepare a beautiful home for us all to join them in one day.

She is survived by her sister Della (and family), and her children Don, Kevin, Shery, Debbie, Lisa, and Robyn (and their families). Lydia has many grandchildren and great grandchildren and countless others she loved and considered family including "adopted" kids, nanny kids and dear friends. She often expressed feeling blessed to have touched, and been touched, by so many. She also leaves behind an army of teddy bears and roughly three million clipped recipes.

In addition to her parents, Lydia’s son Jeff sadly preceded her in death.

We all love you Ma and will dream of you up above in peace.

Since she would have preferred Margaritas to tears, a celebration of her life will be planned in the near future.

We'd also like to extend special thanks to Dr. Albizo, 8th floor staff at TC Appleton and TCAH Hospice staff at Cherry Meadows.

My Letter to Death- Robyn Hidde

I know you’re there. Just a golden ember.
I shelter you and hope you’ll be kind later.

Your presence reminds me of how I want to
live each day and for that I am grateful.

At times I hope you’ll be merciful and that I’ll
go swiftly, like a lit match to a dry-needled tree.
Other days I think I might be very accepting of
your cunning, nagging and worming around
my thoughts as a steady reminder…to say
it one more time. To really FEEL it all one
more time.

Either way will have to do. When I sense your
pull…I’ll come.
I’ll offer my bones, they are but tinder.

Whether I go out roaring or in a lazy blue
ripple-
I wish for the essence of my life to warm
those who loved me. For it to drift over them
like a tarry campfire haze that lingers on their
clothes.

And death, please mind the ash.
It shouldn’t clutter today.
Let it be carried away on the wind astride the
wings of tomorrow.