Kenyon “Ken” Emerson Rudd, 85, of Fergus Falls, died Saturday, October 28, 2017, at his home.
He was born February 6, 1932, in LaPorte, MN, the son of Lloyd and Laura (Emerson) Rudd. The family made their home in Laporte, where he graduated from high school in 1950.
Ken continued his education at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis; the Gale Institute, where he studied telegraphy and at the Minnesota School of Business studying Stenographic Machine Shorthand. From 1953-1955, he served in the U.S. Army at Ft. Riley, Kansas.
In 1953, he married Twila Opsal at the Community Baptist Church in LaPorte, MN.
He had been employed as a Telegrapher and Depot Agent for GN RY for approximately 10 years; from 1962-1979, he was a District Court Court Reporter, working in the Seventh Judicial District which consisted of ten counties, for one of four District Court Judges, traveling and holding court in the various counties. From 1979-1992, he served as the Clerk of District Court and Court Administrator.
Ken was a member of Crossroads Church, Fergus Falls, Chairman of the Deacon Board, taught Sunday School, sang in the choir and the Tri-focal Quartet. He was also a member of the Pioneer Home Board of Directors from 1986-1994. He enjoyed hunting, fishing and outdoor activities with his sons and grandsons, traveling south during some of the winter months and exercising at the YMCA. A trip to Norway in 2004, was a memorable trip for him.
Ken was a very devoted husband and father. He loved spending time with all his grandchildren and their families. We believe he is with the Lord in heaven because of his testimony, accepting Christ as Savior when he was a young man in Laporte, MN.
Preceding him in death were his parents, Lloyd and Laura Rudd; sister, Jewell Roberts; sisters-in-law, Carol Rudd and Clarice Rudd; brothers-in-law, Henry Danielson, Erlin Lewis, and Clarence Roberts.
Survivors include his wife, Twila of Fergus Falls; two sons, William (Allana) Rudd of Moorhead, and Thomas (EvLyn) Rudd of East Grand Forks; nine grandchildren; twelve great-grandchildren; a brother, Lloyd of Fergus Falls; and two sisters, Verona Danielson of Fergus Falls, and Lorraine Lewis of Minneapolis.
Memorials preferred to Crossroads Church or LB Hospice, Fergus Falls.
Visitation: ½ hour before the service at the church
Service: 1 p.m. Saturday, November 11, 2017, at Crossroads Church, Fergus Falls
Clergy: Reverend Ned Eerdmans
Interment: Rindal Cemetery, rural Underwood
Arrangements are provided by the Olson Funeral Home, Fergus Falls
Online condolences may be sent to
www.OlsonFuneralHome.com