Renee Gibson Blum Rudd age 96 of Shawnee, Kansas passed away on November 10, 2023.

Renee was born in Camden, New Jersey and lived there until she attended Collinswood High School when they moved to Haddonfield. She worked for Bell Telephone, RCA Victor and Campbell Soup while in high school. After graduating, she worked full time for Bell Telephone. Renee also attended drama school in Philadelphia two nights a week for 9 months. Her goal was to be a movie star.

August 5, 1945, Renee met William Blum who had just returned from World War II where he was a B24 pilot with over 25 missions. Bill was shot down over Germany and taken as a prisoner of war for 9 months. He was just back home and recouping in Atlantic City when she met him at a USO Club.

After 4 short months Renee married Bill in Las Vegas where he was stationed. Shortly thereafter Bill retired from the military and they returned to his hometown of Dansville, New York. Bill worked in his family's shoe business and later became the sole owner of the Blum Shoe store.

Renee was a housewife, worked in the shoe store during holidays and was a mother of 4 (Christopher, Diana, Jeffery, and Jamie). She enjoyed archery, golf, playing cards and supporting her children's activities.

In 1965, they moved to Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. William passed away suddenly June 6, 1972, of an apparent aneurism. She was remarried to Hartley Rudd in 1978 in Ft. Lauderdale. Upon his death in 1991, Renee moved to Union Town, PA., then to Martha's Vineyard, then Shawnee, KS.

Renee loved to travel, especially with her daughter, Diana. She has been to Japan, China, Hong Kong, France, Italy, England, Iceland, Ecuador, Galapagos Islands, Israel, Egypt, Guatemala, Hawaii, and the Bahamas.

For years Renee volunteered for Hospice. She was under their compassionate care for the last 2 years of her life. She died peacefully on Friday, November 10th in the home of her son Christopher and wife Dawn.

Renee is survived by:

• • Son, Christopher Blum and his wife Dawn of Shawnee, KS.
    • Grandson Brandon Blum and wife Holly of Olathe, KS.  Great Grandchildren Addison and Aidan.
    • Granddaughter Nicole and Husband Lamel McCollum of Sellersburg, IN. Great Grandchildren, Brittany, Briana, and Noah.
    • Granddaughter Dana Kinner of Olathe, KS.  Great Grandchildren Macie and Graham.
    • Granddaughter Kirsten Blum and husband Charles Parker of Orlando, FL.  Great Grandchild Orlen.
  • Daughter, Diana and husband Whit Manter of Woodstock, VT.
  • Daughter, Jamie and husband Richard Faulkner of Lee's Summit, Mo.
    • Grandson Dirk Batschke and wife Jesse of Dubai, United Arab Emirates.  Great Grandchild Rollo
    • Grandson Britton Batschke of Independence, MO.
    • Grandson Cameron Batschke of Seattle, WA.

• Renee was preceded in death by her son, Jeffery Blum of Nashville, TN. in September 2022.   Surviving is wife Diane.

• Grandson Jack Blum and wife Ashley of Nashville, TN.  Great Grandchild Oak.

• Grandson Will Blum of New York City, NY.

In keeping with her wishes, a burial service and a celebration of her life will take place at the Blum Family plots at Greenmount Cemetery in Dansville, New York in the summer of 2024.