Michael Carl Ludders

April 24, 1983 - May 23, 2021

Memorial Service

Mass of Christian Burial
June 26 12:30pm - 1:30pm
Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Church
2348 Collier Pkwy, Land O Lakes, FL 34639

Memorial
June 26 1:30pm - 6:00pm
Plantation Palms Golf Club
23253 Plantation Palms Blvd., Land O Lakes, FL 34639

Obituary

Michael Carl Ludders beloved son, brother, nephew, cousin, uncle and friend died at home in Wesley Chapel, Florida May 24th, 2021. He died of a heart attack. Mike is survived by his parents Stephen and Dawn, his brother, sister and nephew; John, Saskia and Christian, his aunts Patricia, Mary Katherine, Molly, Jeanne and Pat, his uncles Doug, Carl, Jim, Paul, Patrick, and Robert, his cousins Ryan, Margarette, Laura, Beau, Robert, Daniel, Brian, Leslie, Jay, Edward, Katherine and Benjamin. And many, many dear friends.

He is joyfully reunited with his mother Jane; his grandparents Paul and Marian; and Carl and Eileen, his aunts Ellen and Billie and uncle Jim and his cousin Stewart.

Mike was born in Chicago Il, grew up in Buffalo NY, went to college in Gambier OH and worked in New York City, Seattle WA and Tampa FL.

Mike attended High School at St. Joseph’s Collegiate Institute and graduated from Keyon College. He was a Paralegal for Paul, Wise Rifkin in New York. He was a Legal analyst for Microsoft and the Legal Assistant to Corporate Counsel at Noble House in Seattle and Controller for TLC Travel Staff in Tampa.

Mike was involved in Rowing, Model UN, Mock trial, Band, many charitable fundraising drives and wrote for the Buffalo News while in High School. He played Ultimate Frisby, was an editor of the Keyon Collegian newspaper, was involved in the Debate club and the Model UN team that won the small college national title held annually at Harvard in his junior year. He was active in his church as a Eucharistic Minister at St, Joe’s in high school. And as a member of the Newman Club and Eucharistic Minister at St. Vincent DePaul Catholic church at Kenyon College.

Mike had a way of making people feel unique and important and was loved by many of the people he touched. He will be dearly missed.

Services will be held on June 26th in Tampa. There will be a Mass of Christian Burial at Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Church in Land ‘O lakes FL at 12:30pm; a Memorial Celebration at Plantation Palms Country Club at 1:30 and a reception at Plantation Palms at 3:30pm.

Remembrances

I recall some kind of welcome dinner in Pierce, possibly during orientation.  Ludders was at my table, and although I was a little trepidatious as an embarking first-year, I remember a distinct sense of reassurance in his company... A growing realization that I'd picked my place correctly, and would be able to thrive over the next four years among my kind of merry weirdos and fellow-travelers.

He had such an open-hearted presence; a joviality that brought warmth to many. It was significant enough to me that I recalled and thanked him for that first moment during senior week, at a celebratory evening at the Cove. It felt corny to indulge my pre-nostalgia at the time, but important.  I'm so glad I had the opportunity. 

My deepest condolences to his family and beloved friends.  

I was two years ahead of Mike at Kenyon, but was quickly wowed by him during MUN.  Confident and persuasive but not arrogant, knowledgeable and ambitious but not nerdy or overbearing, he was a genuine team player who truly wanted everyone to succeed.  He brought so much energy and enthusiasm to his passions, and gave his all to so much.  Mike was so perceptive, and was always ready to offer a shoulder to those in need.  He was an all-around incredible guy, an inspirational figure who brought out the best in others.  I lost touch with Mike a few years after college, though I'd wonder what he was up to.  This is such a sad loss to anyone who knew 'Husky.'   RIP, Mike.

Gallery

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Mike and Willow at a party

2005? - Willow

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Mike was contractually obligated to make that face at least once in a photo series.

Fall 2007 - Jaime

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Mike and Willow in Maine

2005? - Willow

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Mike receives our 4th place trophy at LEIMUN

06/24/05 - Kwiek

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Kyaking in Maine

1990s - Steve

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A Year in a life - Willow Belden

2000s - Steve