James E. Rude

James (Jim) Rude, 87, a resident of Pickerel Lake, Richville, MN, died Monday, September 9, 2024 at Essentia Health Oak Crossing in Detroit Lakes.

James Ellsworth Rude was born on December 16, 1936, at home in Dalton, to Oscar and Magna (Spitsberg) Rude. He attended elementary school in Dalton and Fergus Falls High School where he participated in baseball and football. He was also on the American Legion Baseball Team and Dalton Town Team. During his school years, he enjoyed the summers that he worked on a dairy farm doing field work, haying and harvesting grain. 

After high school Jim enlisted in the Unites States Army serving as a medic in the 7th Infantry Division in Korea.

On December 20, 1958, he was united in marriage to Ilene Janice Kronemann. They were blessed with three sons, Brian, Bradley and Blaine, eight grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Jim lived in Fergus Falls and Devils Lake, ND. He was employed by Otter Tail Power Company in accounting, data processing and as Division Manager. 

After retirement Jim enjoyed restoring Farmall Tractors and helped his dad restore a 60 Caterpillar which is still on the grounds in Dalton. He especially enjoyed moving the log house his mother grew up in from the farm to LRPTA grounds in Dalton and restoring the log house with his cousins.

Jim’s final restoration project was a 1956 Mercury Montclair convertible. It is a match of the car he purchased in 1956 after being discharged from the army. It also was the car he was driving when he caught the eye of his future bride, Ilene. 

Jim enjoyed ski jumping, starting at a very young age, and competed for many years in tournaments in Minnesota, North Dakota and Wisconsin. Ilene and Jim enjoyed a trip to Norway in 2018 with a tour group where they saw three Norwegian ski jumps. He also enjoyed singing in the church choir, golf groups in Minnesota and Arizona, the years living at Pickerel Lake and retired years of winters in Arizona. In the 1920’s, a family tradition was started of deer hunting at the cabin in northern Minnesota, something Jim enjoyed being a part of for 60 plus years. 

Jim served on the Fergus Falls City Council. He was a member of the American Legion and Life Member of VFW, Past Commander and member of the American Legion Color Guard. He was involved with Rotary, Lions, Jaycees and Fergus Falls Fish and Game serving as secretary and treasure when the Canadian Goose Flock was started in Fergus Falls. He found the years he was a member and director of the Lake Region Pioneer Threshermen’s Association very rewarding as he enjoyed working on various projects. 

Jim was proud that the entire family was able to be together every year during the Fourth of July. Each year he and Ilene looked forward to their returning. He felt truly blessed to have such a wonderful family. 

Preceding Jim in death were his parents, Oscar and Magna Rude; and sisters, Marlys Lien and Patricia Erickson.

Jim is survived by his wife, Ilene; sons, Brian (Annette) of Bismarck, ND, Bradley (Heidi) of Highlands Ranch, CO and Blaine (Tiffany) of Eagan, MN; grandchildren, Megan (Riley) Spiker, Rachel (Ryan) Jankowski, Max (fiancée Cammey) Rude, Hannah (Gabriel) Stallcup, Alex Rude, Peyton Rude, Tyler Glidden and Jordan Glidden; great-grandchildren, Leroy Spiker, Violet Stallcup and Blake Jankowski; and brother, Marwood (Marion) Rude. 

Service: 11 a.m. Friday, September 20, 2024 at Zion Lutheran Church of Amor, Amor, MN with a visitation one-hour prior to the service at the church.

Clergy: Reverend Doug Stave

Military Participation: Ashby American Legion Post #357

Interment: Our Saviors Cemetery, Dalton, MN

Arrangements provided by Olson Funeral and Cremation in Fergus Falls.

Online condolences may be sent to www.olsonfuneralhome.com