Jean O. Ludes (Cruce), aged 99, passed away peacefully on January 6, 2026, in Tustin, California, with her loving family by her side. Jean was born on December 10, 1926, in Fulton, Kentucky, to Raymond and Georgie Lee Cruce. After graduating from Salina High School, she began her professional journey at the telephone company. It was during this time that she met and married William Ludes, the son of Genevieve and Bernard Ludes from Salina, Kansas. Bernard worked at Planters State Bank and owned Ludes Liquor Store on E. Iron.
Jean and William, affectionately known as Bill, made it a priority that their six children remained connected to their Kansas roots. After relocating their family to Southern California, where Bill began his career as an elementary school teacher, they spent their summers in Salina, ensuring that their children grew up knowing their extended Kansas family. These summers were filled with joyful memories at the Salina Country Club's golf course and swimming pool, lively fish fries at Smokey Hill Park, and frequent visits to the Cozy Inn, all in the company of over twenty-five cousins.
Jean’s family owned Cruce Produce on South 4th Street, and she was proud of her heritage. In California, Jean established a remarkable career in Human Resources at I. Magnin and Saks Fifth Avenue, earning respect as hardworking and extremely knowledgeable in her field. Following her retirement, she moved to Garden City, Kansas, where she worked alongside her brother, Cotton, at Cruce Produce. She managed the front office and cherished the fond memories she created there.
Jean was a devoted mother and grandmother who loved her children and grandchildren deeply and was loved by all in return. She was fun, smart, and spirited, always thoughtfully engaging in conversation with both young and old. Jean had a great sense of style, a wry sense of humor, and loved to laugh, play cards, and spend time with family.
Jean was preceded in death by her beloved husband, William, who passed away in 1988, and by her son, Mark, who passed in 2022. She is survived by her children: Carol Savoy of Glendale, Arizona; Rick Ludes of Mission Viejo, California; Janie Vasilia of Tustin, California; Jeff Ludes of Newport Beach, California; and Brad Ludes of Santa Ana, California. In addition to her children, Jean leaves behind a legacy of 20 grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren, and 4 great-great-grandchildren.
During the last two decades of her life, Jean resided primarily in the Phoenix, Arizona area, where she developed many cherished friendships with her neighbors and Arizona family members. Her warmth, kindness, and energetic spirit touched all who knew her. She will be dearly missed and forever remembered in the hearts of her family and friends.
Jean will be buried next to her husband William in a private ceremony in the the Mt. Calvary Cemetery, Salina.
For more information or to leave condolences go to www.ryanmortuary.com