Caledonia Argus

Posted: 3/22/04

Earl Rud

Earl H. Rud, 85, of Caledonia, died Monday, March 22, 2004, at Franciscan Skemp Medical Center, La Crosse, WI after a courageous battle with cancer. He was born August 20, 1918, in Mondovi, WI to Elmer and Elsie (Saas) Rud. He was a Private 1st Class and was awarded the Purple Heart in the U.S. Army and served in Naples, Italy and France. He married Violet Demmer February 22, 1944 at St. Peterís Catholic Church, Caledonia. They celebrated their 60th anniversary in February of 2004.

Earl farmed on Houge Ridge in rural Caledonia until 1988. He then semi-retired and moved to Caledonia in 1989. He was a member of VFW Post 3833 and the American Legion Post 191 in Caledonia. He was a member of St. Maryís Church, Caledonia, was a member of the American Dairy Association, DHIA, Land O Lakes Co-op, and he served on the Sheldon Town Board. He enjoyed golf, dancing, playing cards and socializing with his friends and family. He especially enjoyed his grand daughters.

He is survived by his wife Violet, Caledonia; his son Steve Rud, Caledonia; grand daughters, Laurie, Annie and Lynn Rud; three great- grandchildren; four brothers, Eddie Rud, Janesville, WI, LaVern (Rose Mary) Rud, Mosinee, WI, Elmer Jr, ìSonnyî (Bev) Rud and LeRoy (Margie) Rud both of Caledonia; three sisters, Shirley (Raymond) Hagen, Rose Mary Laumb, and Bernice Diersen all of Caledonia and special pet, Yanni.

He was preceded in death by his parents, a daughter-in-law, Jeannie Rud, two brothers, Wilfred and Orville, and a sister, Dorothy Pfiffner.

Mass of Christian Burial will be Thursday, March 25, at 10:30 a.m. at St Maryís Catholic Church, Caledonia. Father Gregory Leif will officiate and burial will be in Calvary Cemetery, Caledonia. Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at McCormick Funeral Home, Caledonia, where a prayer service will be at 7:30 p.m. Friends may also call one hour prior to the service at the church, Thursday. Memorials are preferred to St. Maryís Church Refurbishing Fund.

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