Dennis Ricky Dean Rud

Friday, May 26, 2017 5:15 pm

Dennis Ricky Dean Rud, 65, of rural Dorchester, died in his home Wednesday, May 24, 2017. Visitation services are at Waterloo Ridge Lutheran Church near Dorchester Monday, May 29, from 2 to 5 p.m. The funeral is at Waterloo Ridge Lutheran Church Tuesday, May 30, at 1:30 p.m. Memorial donations can be given to the following non-profits: Back to the Bible, Gideon International or Campus Crusade for Christ. Roble Funeral Home of Spring Grove is assisting the family with arrangements.

Dennis was born May 27, 1951, to the late Tinka (Bergrud) and Gilman Rud. He was the seventh child born of Gilman and Tinka’s eight children. He graduated from Spring Grove High School in 1969, joined the Army Reserve and then graduated with a Bachelor of Science in agricultural education from Iowa State University.

Dennis married the love of his life, Jandeen (Sherry) Rud in 1973. After graduating from Iowa State, Dennis taught agricultural education in Decorah, followed by over 20 years of employment with Nelson Dairy Consulting. Dennis returned to his love of teaching at Fillmore Central High school, and ended his career of teaching at Mabel-Canton High School.

Dennis loved the Lord, his family and students with all of his heart. The community activities he was involved with showed his heart for others in the following ways: as a basketball coach in Spring Grove, a 4-H parent, advocate for FFA, Iowa/Minnesota Stateline Plowing Association, Norwegian Ridge Harvesting, National Clydesdale Association, Youth Development, Sunday School, Gideon International, and anything else he could do to be a light.
Dennis was also known for his love of horses. Buying his first Clydesdale in 1986, he cared for them from birth and through showing at fairs, attending local parades, and often farming with them. His Clydesdale horses became something that brought joy to not only Dennis, but to so many around him.

Dennis leaves many sweet memories to his wife of 44 years, Jan, and his four children: Terrean (Jeff ) Schmidgall, Kathrina (Jared) Menzel, Ricky ( Amber) Rud, and Bjorn (Amanda ) Rud; and to his eight granddaughters and one grandson. He will be missed by his siblings Loren (Marcia) Rud, Joycelyn Rostad, Judy (Gerald) Bratland, Darlene (Ron) Dix, Darryl (Lorraine) Rud, Lorna ( Milt) Myhre and Mark (Kari) Rud.

In addition to his parents, Dennis was preceded in death by his niece Dawn, brother-in-law Carlyn, father-in-law Albert and brother-in-law Nathan.