Merlin A. Rudie

Merlin Rudie, 90 of Westby died Wednesday, April 30, 2014 Merlin A Rudie, age 90 of Westby, died Wednesday, April 30, 2014 at the Norseland Nursing Home in Westby. He was born on March 1, 1924 to Julius and Ellen (Hanson) Rudie. Merlin graduated from Westby High School. He was united in marriage to Lorraine Nestingen on July 27, 1946. He operated a dairy farm and enjoyed raising tobacco. He drove bus for Westby Area Schools for over 30 years. He was baptized and confirmed at the Coon Valley Lutheran Church. Merlin was a member of the North Coon Prairie Church. He enjoyed fishing and looked forward to opening weekend and going up north every year with his sons and grandsons. He also enjoyed playing cards and shaking dice and going to polka dances. He is survived by six children: David (Bonnie) Rudie of Tomahawk, WI, Jean (Jeff Clark) Rudie of La Crosse, WI, Mary Rudie of Westby, WI, John (Dawn) Rudie of Westby, WI, Randy (Terri) Rudie of Coon Valley, WI, and Seri (Marvin) Sommerfeldt of Sealy, TX; 14 grandchildren: Jeff (Janet) Koll, Taunya (Kirk) Franck, Mariam (Dan) Case, Heather (Jeremy) Bartfield, Ryan (Robin) Rudie, Tara (John) Edwards, Cody, Megan, and Kalan Rudie, Lanie, Bryce, and Brady Rudie, and Chelsea and Lee Sommerfeldt; sister, Eunice Albrecht; sister-in-law, Olive Rudie; 13 great-grandchildren; the family dog, Max; nieces and nephews; other relatives and friends. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Lorraine; daughter, Dawn M. Koll; son-in-law, Terry Koll; four brothers: Jarvis, Lawrence, Kenneth, and Edwin; three sisters: Evelyn and Beatrice Rudie, and Jerene Erickson; two brother-in-laws: Robert Albrecht, and Leif Erickson; and sister-in-law, Hazel Rudie. Funeral Service will be held on Saturday, May 3, 2014 at 11 a.m. at the North Coon Prairie Lutheran Church. Pastor John Stennes-Spidahl will officiate with burial in the Coon Valley Lutheran Church Cemetery. Friends are invited for visitation on Friday, May 2, 2014 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Vosseteig Funeral Home, 708 S. Hwy 14 in Westby. Friends may also call at the church on Saturday after 10:00 a.m. Online condolences may be offered at www.VossFH.com. The Vosseteig Funeral Home of Westby is serving the family.