Lawrence P. Rudek

He was born on November 11, 1924 in Little Falls, MN into a family poor in worldly possessions and died on January 25, 2018 rich in the love and respect of all who knew him.  Lawrence Paul Rudek was the middle child of the eleven children of Paul and Eleanor (Riedner) Rudek.  He grew up working on the family farm and attending school in Little Falls.  While he was a good athlete and wanted to play sports in high school, there was no time for that on the farm.  It was only after he left home that he was able to engage in the sporting activities that he excelled at, especially baseball.  He was an avid and life-long Twins and Vikings fan.  As a member of the “greatest generation”, Larry served his country during WWII in the Navy from 1944 to 1946.

Larry worked for the Northern Pacific/Burlington Northern Railroad for 38 years.  While relieving a colleague in Turtle Lake, ND, Larry met LaVina Schock, a beautiful brown-eyed waitress at the local café.  He swept her off her feet by leaving a 10 cent tip for the 5 cent cup of coffee he ordered every day.  How could she possibly say no to such a big tipper when he proposed?  They were married in Little Falls, MN, on July 21, 1949.  Their first home was in Jamestown, ND where their first two daughters, Patricia and Pamela were born in July 1951 and December 1952 respectively.  Larry was then transferred to the small berg of Tuttle, ND, and where three more daughters were born; Paula in 1955; Vicki in 1956 and Valerie in 1957.  Tragically, Paula succumbed to hyaline membrane disease and lived only a few days.  Instead of being spoiled constantly by five daughters, Larry had to settle for being doted on by only four.

In 1960, the family moved to Maddock, ND, where they lived until 1976.  Larry and LaVina were very active in the community and at St. Williams Catholic Church and had many good friends there.  In 1976, they moved back to Minnesota which delighted Larry, not only because it was the land of his birth, but as a fisherman at heart, he was finally close to the lakes of his favorite walleyes. No day was ever too hot or too cold to be on the water trying to catch “the big one” or fishing from the dock with his favorite golden retriever by his side.

From 1977 until 1990, the couple owned and operated Big Pines Resort on Island Lake north of Brainerd, MN.  While at the resort, Larry rescued a fawn whose mother had been killed by a train.  Naming the deer “Lady”, they formed a strong and unique friendship and like most guests, Lady returned to Big Pines every year. In 1990 Larry and LaVina moved to Marion Lake, near Perham, MN where they lived until settling in Dilworth, MN in 2000.  They were long time members of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Moorhead.  In 2016, they moved to Bethany on 42^nd where they lived until Larry took his last breath listening to his favorite Jim Reeves songs, holding the hand of his favorite waitress and surrounded by the love of his family.

Those who knew Larry knew that he was the embodiment of love. A magnificent combination of wit and creativity, intelligence, humility, reflectiveness, compassion and character took up residence in this small man who was great in stature. Among the many who will miss his warm, friendly smile and spirited debates are his wife of 68 years, LaVina; Daughters Patricia (Eric) Monson, Fargo; Pamela (Dean) Sorensen, St. George, UT; Vicki (Michael) Zager, St. Cloud, MN; Valerie (Randy) Johnson, Lafayette, LA; Grandchildren Eric Sorensen, Matthew (Mandy) Sorensen; Jasmyne (Collin) Cormier; Rachel (Daniel Dean) Ellingson; Alyssa (Lukas) Bernard; Rebecca Ellingson; Kirstyn Johnson; Michael (Michelle) Monson; Jessica Monson; Great-grandchildren Erica; Keagyn; Cash; Cole; Graham; Jack Lawrence; Mamie; Adlie; Eleanor Dell; Zach and Caden.  Larry was welcomed into heaven by his parents, Paul and Eleanor Rudek, his baby daughter, Paula; Brothers George, Robert, Kenneth, Donald, Arthur, Edmund and Sisters Margaret, Delores, Elaine and Loretta. And, of course, his grand-dog and fishing companion, Tucker, who undoubtedly greeted him with an exuberantly wagging tail.  We look forward to celebrating the life of this special man with a memorial service to be held in the Spring.  Please come prepared to share memories, recall grandpa-humor and recite “Larryisms” as we honor his most important proverb to just “be happy”.