Birthday Poem

Ninety

Today, dear Lord, I am 90 and there’s much I haven’t done.
I hope, dear Lord, you’ll let me live until I’m 91.
But, if I haven’t finished all I want to do, would you please let me stay awhile, until I’m 92?
So many places I want to go, so much I want to see---do you think you could manage to make it 93?
Many things I may have done, but there’s so much left in store, I’d like it very much to live to 94.
And if by then, I’m still alive, then, I’d like to stay to 95.
The world is changing very fast, so I’d really like to stick and see what happens to the world when I am 96.
I know, dear Lord, it’s a lot to ask, and it will be nice in heaven, but I’d really like to stay around until I’m 97.
I know by then I won’t be fast, and sometimes, I’ll be late, but it would be oh-so-pleasant to be around at 98.
I will have seen so many things and had a wonderful time, so, I’m sure that I’ll be willing to leave at 99. (Well---maybe!)

Happy Birthday Aunt Fran!
Love, Bill & Mary Voorhees Familly

Joe and Fran party on!

Happy birthday Fran!  Loved seeing you at the party.

Forever yours,

Joe

Love you, Grandma

Happy Birthday, Grandma! I always loved snuggling with you and Grandpa in bed when I came to visit. I miss my footsies. Love you, Emily

Love, Conor

Grandma, thanks for all the memories in Fairbanks and Spokane. Love, Conor

Fisherwoman of fish and men!

No matter what Matt claims, this picture proves that you lay claim to the biggest fish in Rudolf lore. However, in a more important fishing of sorts, the catch you made in Kerm and the babe he landed in you are the best lore of all. Happy 90th! Your main catch would certainly be proud.
Love, murph

Love, Noey, Will, and James

Happy birthday, Grandma. Thank you for being the best grandma. I like playing cards with you and going to the lake with you. (Noey) Grandma, you score. Without you we'd have no speed or agility. You are the best. (Will and James.)

Love, Sister Rosemary

Dear Frances,

Greetings and best wishes to you and your family on your 90th birthday!


Pope Benedict XVI told the youth at the World Youth Day in Australia this past July, “If you wish to remain young, seek Christ.” I’m going to add that if you wish to live a long life, seek Christ. You have sought Christ in your life since you were baptized in St. Malachy’s Church in Geneseo, Illinois. He has rewarded you a great gift of long life. Your life has reflected Christ’s teachings and you have been a great example to all of us. You have always been kind, loving, and generous to me, Fran, and I close with heartfelt love to you, to your children, and gratitude to Kerm.


Love and prayers,


Rosemary

Love, Sister Pat

Dear Fran,
Congratulations on your 90th birthday! You were born on the feast of St. Francis Assisi in l9l8. You were a beautiful little person then and you are a beautiful mature person now. To a devoted wife and mother, my sister and best friend , I say, "I love you. God bless you." Patricia Boehm

Little Monica

The wild 80's are almost over, Fran...time to settle down! Love the site (great job, Claire!) and so looking forward to the grand event (MJ you rock! thanks for all the hard work!!).....it will be a wonderful to a great lady. Love you mom. Always, Monica

Love from the Voorhees/Salani Family

Happy Birthday, Aunt Fran:) Wow, The greatest gift you have given your family is love, and the greatest gift we can give to you is our love. Aunt Fran, thank you for making the effort to travel the miles to visit. I will always be grateful for all your kindnesses over the years. I am proud to have such a wonderful, kind, humorous, classic, articulate, political enthusiast, and just super intelligent Aunt to call my Aunt Fran from Spokane. Our family has always had the utmost respect and fondness for you, dear aunt. May God bless you and your family. May your day be special! Love, always, Mary Voorhees Salani and Family (Brian, Michael, Dana and Rob) Kenosha, Wisconsin

Thanks, Grandma

Dear Grandma-
I am so blessed to have you in my life. I am especially grateful for being able to spend middle school and high school in Spokane with the support of you and Grandpa. I appreciate all of the violin recitals and cross country races you attended. I will always cherish the memories of hearts games and pizza nights in front of Zags games. I will always remember growing up in your house and in Spokane. Thank you for loving me and believing in me. I am so happy to be able to celebrate your 90 birthday with you. Happy Birthday, Grandma!

They say genes skip generations. Maybe that's why grandparents find their grandchildren so likeable.
-- Joan McIntosh

A grandmother is a little bit parent, a little bit teacher, and a little bit best friend.
-- Author Unknown

Love, Meg

Maui 2002

Happy birthday, Fran! I've attached a group photo from our trip to Maui for the Gonzaga basketball tournament in November 2002. It was taken before we all had Thanksgiving dinner at one of the big hotels.. The memory that I remember so well is you and Kermit dancing to the Hawaiian wedding song on the dance floor and the band leader announcing that you had been married over fifty years. Love, Elizabeth

John and Fran at ND

“Notre Dame senior year; somehow Fran uses her Irish wit and charm to convince John to cut his hair, clean up and wear a tie, so he’s ‘properly’ ready for a life in the Wall Street world !”

From One 90-year-old to Another

Fran - My one big regret on your 90th birthday is that I am not there to celebrate with you. We have been good friends over the years, much more than simply in-laws. All my love, Ann (Bob's mother)

Quite a Gal

Frances Claire Collins Rudolf !!

What a gal. What a great mom.

Looking forward to partying with her. She showed me up at Priest Lake this summer, she can still party!

Love, Matt
Gonzaga Prep graduation 1974

Post a note for Fran

Look who is turning 90!

Dear family and friends, here we go. I hope to have a longer slide show up and running soon. It can be added to any time. Double-click to make it bigger.

If you have received an invitation from me to post on the blog, just go into new post. You can paste a note in or compose in the box. Icons above allow you to add photos or videos. 

Send me by email any photos you'd like included in the slide show. This is just the beginning.

Let me know if you are having trouble. You can email me and I will post for you. Anyone can comment on existing blogs. But you can only add photos in a new post. 

Other birthday options include to email Fran directly: krudolf@webtv.net. Send her a card at her new apartment 2929 S. Waterford Dr. Apt. 202 Spokane 99203. Or give her a jingle - 509-534-3779. 

 Mom won't see this until the party, but it would be great to get some action going.
Love to all, Claire