Melissa S. Rucktaeschel

Melissa Susan Rucktaeschel, lovingly known as Missy, passed away peacefully in her home on November 22, 2025, surrounded by her husband Rocky and niece Katie. She had bravely fought a courageous seven-year battle with metastatic breast cancer. After beginning hospice care on November 6, she completed her long journey on November 22, 2025. Missy was born in River Falls, Wisconsin, on May 19, 1970, to Susan Jane Rodewald and Darryld Frederick Cederholm of Wisconsin. She had one older brother, Greg Cederholm, whom she adored. As she got older, Missy earned her GED in Roseville, Minnesota, on July 24, 1989. After receiving her GED, Missy worked as a nanny for the Quinlan family while she attended college. She later enrolled at St. Paul Technical College, where she earned her Associate of Science degree in Medical Laboratory Technology, graduating on June 7, 1996. Following graduation, Missy began her career as a lab technician at a hospital, where she continued to work for many years. During this time, she met David Edward Dudley, and together they welcomed a son, Connor David, born on May 16, 2000, in Fridley, Minnesota. In late 2006, Missy met the love of her life, Rocky Rucktaeschel. They were married on March 12, 2007, and shortly after their wedding, Rocky adopted Connor as his own son-giving him the name Connor David Rucktaeschel. The family lived in Avon before settling in Tyndall, South Dakota, where they stayed for about seven years. When Rocky retired from Schwan's, the couple planned to move to Custer, South Dakota. Around this time, Missy received the news of her cancer diagnosis. Missy was diagnosed with Stage IV metastatic breast cancer, yet she continued working as long as she could. Eventually, the illness required her to stop working, but she never stopped fighting and never stopped showing up for the people she loved. Throughout her seven years of treatment, Missy and Rocky spent their time doing what brought them joy-fishing, ice fishing, hiking (including completing the hiking challenge), wildlife loops, hunting, spending time with their grandkids, and making memories with nieces and nephews. She adored her dogs, Gunner and her grand-dog Ferdy, as well as Tommy the cat. Missy was a loving, caring, and selfless human being. If someone in the family had something going on in their life, she was the first person there to help. She supported her friends with the same loyalty. Even while battling her illness, she always made sure everyone else was taken care of.

Missy is survived by her mother, Susan Coleman; her father, Darryld Cederholm; her brother, Greg Cederholm- sister-in-law Janelle Frank, daughter niece Katie Cederholm, nephew Marcos Lopez, niece Selena Lopez, nephew Xavier Lopez; sister-in-law Judy Hottell- niece Jordy Cederholm and nephew Dakota Cederholm; her husband, Rocky Rucktaeschel; her son, Connor David Rucktaesche, Son Ryan Rucktaeschel daughter-in-law Trudy Rucktaeschel, grandchildren Alyza Rucktaeshel, Hunter Rucktaeshel, and Zack Rucktaeshel-family; Daughter Raja Brandt son-in-law Dwight Brandt, grandkids Raegan Brandt, Rowan Brandt, Dayton Brandt, Rozlyn Brandt, and Renlyn Brandt, Mother-in-law Evelyn Dean; Sister-in-law Roxan Christensen- family; Broth-in-laws son and daughter; Stepmom Mama Mary Ann Rucktaeshel step-sister Kala Cuka-family, stepsister Kari Brecke-family. Many Aunt's, Uncle's, Cousin's, and etc.

She is preceded in death by Rocky's side of the family: father-in-law Duane Rucktaeschel and brother-in-law Richie Rucktaeschel, Cousin Marlene; and on Missy's side: Grandma Neva Ramsland, Grandma Erva Brown, Grandma Esther Rodewald, Uncle Pete Rodewald, Uncle Vern Rodewald, Uncle Bill Berg, Aunt Pam Rodewald, cousin Pam Weld, and cousin Luann Berg HoogeStraat.

Missy will be remembered for her kindness, her strength, and the love she poured into every person she met.

Memorial service wil lbe held 11:00 a.m., May 16, 2026, at Spirit of Grace Church in River Falls, Wisconsin.