Sandra M. “Sandi” Rude, 50, passed away at 7:55 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 23, 2016, in Lutheran Hospital, Fort Wayne.

Sandi was born in Warsaw, Feb. 10, 1965, to Samuel W. and Mary Lou (Schrader) Baxter.

She was a 1983 graduate of Warsaw Community High School and in 2000 she earned her bachelor’s degree in Social Work through St. Francis College in Fort Wayne.

On Oct. 2, 1981, she and John Rude married in Warsaw. He would precede her death June 8, 1989.

Sandi was a homemaker and a lifetime Warsaw resident. She taught piano lessons in her home and was a social worker with the state of Indiana.

She was a member of First Christian Church. Sandi found a hobby in arts and crafts. She enjoyed reading. Animal rescuing was not only her passion, it was her life’s calling; she was considered an animal whisperer by some. She loved helping people. Most of all she loved spending time with her family and was especially proud to be a nana.

Those who now hold treasured memories in their hearts are her son and daughter-in-law: Gabe (Kyra) Rude, Ventura, Calif.; daughter and son-in-law: Kristin (Martin) Bustamante, Warsaw; three grandchildren: Trevor Deckard; Ariana ‘Ana’ Bustamante; and Kaleyah Bustamante; mother: Mary Lou Baxter, Warsaw; brother and sister-in-law: David and Roberta Baxter, Newburgh; two sisters and a brother-in-law: Penny L. Daisy; and Deloris and Joe Clark, all of Mansfield, Ohio; several nieces and nephews; mother-in-law: Candy (Rude) Hayes; and stepfather-in-law: Mick Hayes, Rochester. She was preceded in death by a granddaughter: Nathalia Rude, Dec. 17, 2004; father: Samuel W. Baxter, March 5, 2011; and father-in-law: Jimmy Rude, on Jan. 2, 1991.

Family and friends will come together for a time of sharing as they support one another in their loss from 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 27, at Titus Funeral Home, Warsaw. A service celebrating Sandi’s life will take place 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 28, in the funeral home with Pastor Gary Boschain of First Christian Church officiating. Burial will follow in Oakwood Cemetery, Warsaw.

The family has asked that gifts in Sandi’s memory be directed to One Dog at a Time Rescue, Inc., Warsaw, or to Cardinal Services, Warsaw.