La Grande, Oregon
Lee L. Rudd, 81, of La Grande, died Jan. 8 at his home. A celebration of life will begin at 11 a.m. Friday at Daniels Chapel of the Valley, with committal and burial to follow at the Hillcrest Cemetery. Viewing will be available from 4 to 6 p.m. Thursday at Daniels Chapel of the Valley.
Mr. Rudd was born Feb. 17, 1925, to Oscar Lewis and Marie Elizabeth Haggerty Rudd in Craig, Colo. After graduation, he started doing farm work. He worked his way to Oregon in 1941 where he was a farmhand for the Dick Hibberd Ranch.
In 1943 he enlisted in the Navy and served until his honorable discharge in May 1946. He was employed by the City of La Grande Water Department for several years, then in 1966 went to work for the particleboard plant, where he worked as a knife grinder until retiring in 1987.
On Jan. 31, 1948, Mr Rudd married Geraldine “Jerry” Pfel in La Grande, and the couple had three children. They enjoyed many years of country music dancing at the Eagles and fishing and camping together. Mr. Rudd enjoyed steelhead fishing, hunting, boating and spending time out of doors. He also enjoyed woodworking, making many rocking chairs and tables. He liked watching rodeos, especially bull riding, and enjoyed spending quality time with his family.
Survivors include his wife, Jerry Rudd of La Grande; daughter, Kathleen Peters of La Grande; daughter-in-law, Kathy Nantz of La Grande; siblings, Orland Rudd and Wallace Rudd, both of Cove, Jack Rudd of La Grande, Raymond Rudd of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, Marjorie Birchmier of Idaho and Virginia Cassingham of Redding, Calif.; five grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren; and other relatives. He was preceded in death by children, Christine Rudd in 1967 and Calvin Rudd in 1998.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Bishop Foot House or the Mountain States Tumor Institute in care of Daniels Chapel of the Valley, 1502 Seventh Street, La Grande 97850.
The Observer – Obituaries for the week ending Jan. 13, 2006, Published: January 13, 2007