Hermina Udouj

Hermina Udouj, 96, died July 22, 2009, as she lived, knowing that she was a Child of God and loved and cherished by her five children. She was born to Conrad and Gretchen Kraemer Elsken, a pioneering Logan County family from Subiaco, AR on February 11, 1913. She was predeceased by her husband of 51 years, Rudy Udouj, and her siblings Mary Ann Elsken, Margaret Beck, Edward, Bill and Toney Elsken. She is survived by her children, Carole Canino (Bill), Little Rock; Tom Udouj (Marsha), Little Rock; Dan Udouj (Paula), Fort Smith; Steve Udouj (Lorraine Surlak), Orlando, FL; and Dr. Janet Udouj (Dr. Neal Beaton), Little Rock, and younger brother, Greg Elsken.
"Meme," as she was affectionately called by her grandchildren, will be missed by Jill Canino Snelling and daughter, Mina; Lin Canino; Stacy Canino and son, Cole; Alan, Melissa, Sam, Lisa, John, Randall and Sarah Udouj; Laura, Katie and John Beaton; and step-grandson, Galen Surlak-Ramsey and his children, Kian and Aria. She is also survived by fifty-five nieces and nephews.
Armed with the knowledge that it takes one a long time to become young, Hermina was ageless as she taught herself to drive at 60, rode a motorcycle at 75, and experienced the thrill of a jet ski at 83. She was a poll worker, an RSVP volunteer, visited people younger than she was at nursing homes, and volunteered for Immaculate Conception Church in Fort Smith, AR where she was a member for 50 years. One of her fondest duties was singing in the funeral choir (affectionately called the "dead choir").
Though not one to exercise in her younger years, she faithfully led the exercise group at the Good Shepherd Ecumenical Retirement Center's Cove for over 5 years, retiring at 93. She excelled at spoiling her family with delectable desserts and yeast rolls, but she will be remembered most for her kindness, her loving nature and her keen sense of humor.
Visitation will be Friday, July 24, at 6 p.m. at Little Rock Funeral Home, 8801 Knoedl Ct. (NW corner I-630 and Barrow Rd.), Little Rock, followed by a rosary at 7 p.m.
On Saturday, July 25, there will be another rosary at 12 noon at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Fort Smith, AR, followed by a visitation lasting until the time of her funeral service at 2 p.m. Burial will be at Holy Cross Cemetery in Fort Smith. Special recognition is due her devoted caregiver, Juilet Wamala.
Memorials may be made to St. Scholastica's Monastery, 1301 South Albert Pike, Ft. Smith, AR 72913; Subiaco Abbey, 405 North Subiaco Avenue, Subiaco, AR 72865; or to the Rudy and Hermina Udouj Burse at the Diocese of Little Rock, P.O. Box 7239, Little Rock, AR 72217-7239.
Arrangements by Little Rock Funeral Home, (501)224-2200. You may sign Hermina's online guestbook at www.littlerockfuneralhome.com.