Rudella “Rudy” Wermager

RuDella N. Wermager, 82, died at her home in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota, October 4, 2020.

RuDella (Rudy) was born January 8, 1938 near Turtle Lake, south of Lake Park, Minnesota to Maynard C. and Tilla (Teigen) Nelson. She was the sixth child of 11. RuDella attended country school near Turtle Lake until high school.  She moved into town with sister Jessie and brother-in-law Bob Ullrich so she could attend high school in town.  She graduated in 1956. After high school she traveled to San Francisco, California with lifelong friends for work and adventure. She returned to Lake Park after her brother Lyle was killed. She met Douglas Wermager while he was on leave, they married October 16, 1959 at Lake Park Lutheran Church.

RuDella and Doug owned and operated Wermager Oil Company while raising their children. She also worked at Bec-lin Foods frying lefse, Norby’s, Bell Telephone, and Sunnyside Nursing Home just to name a few.  She also worked with Doug to develop Wermager Beach. Part of Big Cormorant Lake has a beach named for her (RuDella Beach) to honor her. She was a dedicated wife and mother. She enjoyed remodeling old homes, being part of her church, bowling, playing softball, and dancing with Doug. She adored her large family with 7 sisters and 3 brothers. They always stayed close and supported each other. Laughter, music, and lefse! She was extremely hard working, strong, fun-loving, and gracious.

RuDella is survived by two sons; Greg (Diane) Wermager, Lafayette, CO, Paul (Cheryl) Wermager, Nisswa, MN, and one daughter, Susan (David Harris), Buckeye, AZ; five grandchildren, Tonya, Ben, Korey, Wyatt, and Shane, and one great granddaughter, Tayton. Her siblings; Jessie Ullrich, Lake Park, MN, Jeanette Biewer, Lake Park, MN, Denise Erickson, Detroit Lakes, MN, Clayton Nelson, Detroit Lakes, MN, Connie (Max) Baer, Audubon, MN, Karen (Curt)Hanson, Moorhead, MN, and John (Patty) Nelson, Audubon, MN, as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins, and in-laws.

She is preceded in death by her husband Doug (2016)of 57 years, her parents Maynard C. and Tilla (Teigen) Nelson, one brother, Lyle Nelson, and two sisters; Marjorie Johnson, and Maxine Grani, as well as nieces, nephews, and in-laws.

A private graveside service will be held at Lake Park Lutheran Cemetery, Lake Park.