Stanley "Rocky" Walter Rud

life story

He never met a stranger

Stanley "Rocky" Walter Rud passed away on December 3, 2024, at the age of 79. Stanley was born to his parents, Louis “Louie” and Marie Rud, on November 9, 1945, in Northfield, MN.

Rocky served in the Army from November 8, 1965 to October 29, 1967, fighting in the Vietnam War. He loved his country, family, and friends. He met Wendee in 1979, and they blended their families after having Kellee in 1983. They shared six children, sixteen grandchildren, and ten great-grandchildren- enough for three ball teams and a handful of subs.

Rocky played baseball for Webster in his younger days and later joined Elko in the 35-and-older league. He enjoyed coaching kids’ baseball for Elko and playing in many softball leagues. He also enjoyed spending time with his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, taking them snowmobiling, four-wheeling, hunting, and even hiding hundreds of Easter eggs yearly.

After retiring from Friedges Landscaping, he stayed busy playing cards and helping others with whatever they needed, whether picking corn or herding cattle. He loved hunting and watching softball and baseball. One of his favorite memories was watching his friends and their kids play for New Market baseball and cheering on St. Patrick if they weren’t playing New Market that day.

He was a very social man with a huge heart who was always ready for the next adventure, which usually involved lots of laughter. His family and friends were important to him, and he would do anything for anyone.

Rocky’s health challenges started when he suffered an Ischemic Stroke on June 29, 2023. This resulted in the inability to walk, talk, and swallow. Rocky was able to return home in September with Wendee's commitment to 24-hour care. Steve (Giles) and Angie were also a huge part of Rocky’s daily care.

They played games, watched old movies and baseball, and danced before she put him to bed at night. His kids and grandkids enjoyed picking on him when they would visit. They would tell him it was payback for all the times he picked on them.

On November 29, 2024, Rocky was admitted to the Minneapolis VA hospital where, over the next three days, he would be diagnosed with Pneumonia, an infection in his blood, and the last diagnosis, which was the hardest to hear, was colon cancer. Based on how sick he was, the prognosis was not favorable. His body was not strong enough to handle the surgery or recovery. Rocky was visited by several of his kids, grandkids, great-grandkids, and one unexpected visitor, Leroy Wagner, who was able to say "see ya later" to one of his closest friends. Leroy was visiting someone down the hall and didn't know Rocky had been admitted. Rocky passed away surrounded by his loving family on Tuesday, December 3, 2024.

His loving parents, Louis and Marie Rud, and Siblings Don Rud, Lucy Hill, Nora Buethe, Rodney Rud, and Doris Clark preceded him in death. He is survived by his significant other, Wendee Giles; his children, Rhonda Davila (Rud), Steve (Mary) Rud, Kellee Rud (Scott), Lonnie (Deanna) Giles, Melissa (Mike) Gephart, Stever Giles (Angie), and many grandchildren, great-grandchildren and nieces and nephews.

Rocky will be deeply missed by all who had the privilege of loving and knowing him. His family and friends will forever cherish his big heart, great memories, and Rockyism’s. He was indeed a “Legend.”

A private ceremony will be held at Fort Snelling National Cemetery, and a Celebration of Life will be held in the Summer of 2025.

A Facebook group called the Rocky Rud Memorial Page has been organized to share memories and pictures of your time with Rocky. If you do not have Facebook, please email your stories and pictures to rockyrudmemorial@gmail.com, and we will ensure they are posted to the page.

memorial service

Funeral/Cremation Provider: Crescent Tide Cremation Services