Dwaine Rud

Dwaine Rud, 78, of Stephen, MN, died early Sunday morning, January 28, 2024, in Valley Senior Living, Grand Forks, ND.

Dwaine Walter Rud was born on May 6, 1945, in Fork Township, Marshall County, MN, to Walter and Loretta (Simonson) Rud. He grew up on the family farm where he learned very early the value of hard work. He carried this with him his whole life- along with his aversion to plain milk from tending to so many cows as a boy. He graduated from Stephen High School in 1963.

On September 18, 1965, Dwaine was married to Sandra Douglas, in First Lutheran Church of Stephen: they were the best of friends. Dwaine was drafted into the US Army in November of 1965. He served his country in the 563rd Medical Co., setting up field hospitals across Vietnam and was in charge of supplies.

Upon his honorable discharge in 1967, Dwaine returned home and after working a short while as a farmhand in Grafton, moved to Stephen and served in a different way, getting a job with the Stephen City Crew where he worked his way up from the bottom becoming the City Superintendent, maintaining Stephen's roads and infrastructure. He retired after over forty years on the job and he and Sandra enjoyed traveling a wide loop through the Southwest and wintering in Florida. While he was working, and even after “retirement,” Dwaine worked at the Myron and Michael Larson farm, assisting with beet harvest and doing what he did best: making things work and operate smoothly.

Dwaine was easygoing and generous which, in addition to his work ethic, made him a great role model for his grandkids. He liked to bring them along to whatever he was working on at the moment, and he and Sandra took them camping many times in addition to other travels. He was a hands-on grandpa attending every baseball game, band concert, and dance performance. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, and being in nature with friends and family.

A lifelong resident of Stephen, Dwaine was a member and past-Commander of the Stephen American Legion. He was dedicated to his church and, in his finals months, would take-in three or four online services a Sunday (even simultaneously). He loved his God, his family, his country, and the City of Stephen. He will be dearly missed.

Dwaine is survived by his children, children, Brian (Shannon) Rud of Grand Forks, ND, and Connie (David) Espinoza of East Grand Forks, MN; grandchildren, Jackson and Sydney; and his brothers, Ray (Linda) Rud and Gary Rud, both of Grafton; and siblings-in-law, Gary (Jean) Douglas, Karen Douglas, Mike (Cheri) Douglas, and Jon Douglas; and several nieces and nephews.

In addition to his wife of 57 years, Sandra, who died on May 19, 2023, Dwaine was preceded in death by his parents; son, David; sisters-in-law, Nancy and Becky Rud; and his in-laws, Marcel and Margaret Douglas.

FUNERAL SERVICE: Tuesday, February 6, 2024, at 11:00 AM, in First Lutheran Church of Stephen, MN.
VISITATION: Monday evening, February 5, from 5:00 PM; Prayer Service at 6:30 PM in First Lutheran Church; and one hour prior to the funeral.
INTERMENT: Stephen City Cemetery.
MILITARY HONORS: The US Army Honor Guard and the Stephen American Legion Post 390.

To watch a video of Dwaine's funeral service, please click the link: Dwaine Rud Funeral Service