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

Mike was my debate partner for several debate meets at Kenyon. I remember during one debate meet it was my 21st birthday. I had mentioned it at a MUN meeting beforehand but I didn't think anyone had remembered. Then on the long road trip down to the university where the debate meet was being held, both vans pulled off the road and parked at a gas station. I got out and there was Mike holding a big birthday cake that said "Happy Birthday Phoebe!" He was grinning and everyone was gathered around him singing "Happy Birthday" to me :-) He had arranged the entire surprise party for me!!! It was awesome!

'Grace' is not a word I would use to describe how Mike literally moved through the world. I remember lots of boyhood shenanigans that often ended with something like a closet door broken, bodily injury to someone, or being punished for something stupid we did. I remember lots of times with him, all of us together, making silly jokes, waving our hands about wildly, and the most silly and outrageous comments to be yelled at a movie, a Sabres game, video game, or show we would watch.
Still, 'Grace' is exactly what I remember Mike giving to me and to others. As a child it was easy to look to him for care, comfort, and guidance. I truly felt cared for by him, and that is a remarkable thing to give to someone.