Rudolph Rudy Rude, 82, died on Wednesday, October 14, 2009 at his home with his family by his side under the care of Red River Valley Hospice.

Funeral services will be 11:00 AM, Monday, October 19, 2009 at Zion Lutheran Church, Thief River Falls, MN with Rev. Gary Johnson officiating. Burial will be at Greenwood Cemetery, Thief River Falls, MN.

Visitation will be held from 4-7 PM on Sunday, October 18, 2009, at Zion Lutheran Church in Thief River Falls, MN with a Prayer Service at 6:00 PM on Sunday at the church. Visitation will also be held for one hour prior to the funeral service at the church on Monday.

Rudolph Rudy Tyler Rude was born on July 25, 1927 in North Township, Pennington County, to Roy John and Mabel T. (Olson) Rude. He was baptized into the Lutheran Faith and confirmed as an adult. He attended country school through the 8th grade.

Rudy was a great American, because of the loss of his fingers he was not able to serve in the military. He tried in several places to enlist but was turned down. He was united in marriage to Helen JoAnn Henrickson on January 1, 1956 at Grace Lutheran Church in Grygla, MN. They made their home on a farm north of Thief River Falls the summer after their marriage and have lived there since.

He began working at age 16 for Hedeen Construction, as heavy equipment operator when they worked on the Garrison Dam project. He worked for Phillips Iron and Metal, Northern Motors, and hauled pulp with Holthusons. In 1960 he started Rude Construction. He also worked a lot with Orrin Benson. He hauled many tons of gravel and snow for projects all over NW Minnesota. He was hard working.

In Rudys younger years, he loved to fish, pheasant hunting, deer hunting, fox hunting, and snowmobiling. He loved to help with Luther League outings. In his later years, he enjoyed collecting stones. He was a member of the Eagles Club, and the National Rifle Association. He was an active member of Zion Lutheran Church and had served on boards at the Trinity and Zion Lutheran. He didnt like to miss the discussions at Dees Kitchen. One thing Rudy believed in was donating blood. He had donated many gallons of blood.

Rudy is survived by his wife Helen, 4 children: Debra (Dale) Holtan, James (Candy) Rude, Joel (Laura) Rude, Karen (Roger) Meunier, all of Thief River Falls, 13 grandchildren: Amber (Pat Hanson) Holtan, Amanda (Treston) Magner, Aaron Holtan, Ryan (Janella) Rude, Kelsy Rude, Tyler Rude, Shaun Hawkinson, Seth (Dani Meyer) Hawkinson, Morgan Rude, Julia Rude, Danielle Meunier, Ashley Meunier, Brady Meunier, 10 great grandchildren: Trey, Paige, Courtney, Arielle, ORian, Cole, Ethan, Tristan, Alex, and Harlow. He is also survived by several nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, 3 brothers: Jerold, Ernie, and James, 2 sisters Myrtle Jablinske, Margaret Kelliher.

Family condolences may be sent at www.johnsonfuneralservice.com