DeWayne A. Rudningen, 86, of New London
DeWayne A. Rudningen, 86 of New London, formerly of Sunburg, died Friday, April 26, 2013 at GlenOaks Care Center in New London. His funeral will be 11:00 am, Wednesday, May 1st at Hope Lutheran Church in Sunburg. Burial will be at West Norway Lake Cemetery in Sunburg. Visitation will be from 5-8 pm Tuesday, April 30th at the church and continue one hour prior to the service on Wednesday. Arrangements are with Harvey Anderson Funeral Home in Willmar.
DeWayne was born on May 1, 1926 in Kerkhoven Township, Swift County, Minnesota, the son of Ingmar and Ida (Hollen) Rudningen. He was baptized on May 30, 1926 and confirmed on May 5, 1940 at West Norway Lake Lutheran Church. He grew up on the farm and attended District 63 for his schooling as well as Kerkhoven High School.
On June 21, 1946 he was united in marriage to Delores Rasmusson at the West Norway Lake Lutheran parsonage. Following their marriage, they lived in Minneapolis where he worked at the Ford Plant. He then went to work for Lampert Lumber in Luverne, Minnesota and later transferred to Lampert Lumber in Willmar, Minnesota.
In 1951, they moved to a farm near Sunburg and began farming, milking cows, raising hogs and cattle. For the next 50+ years he was a dedicated and proud farmer. In 1998 Delores passed away from cancer after 52 wonderful years of marriage. In his later years, DeWayne continued to help on the farm driving tractor and running errands for the farm until he moved into Miriam Manor in Sunburg.
DeWayne was a man of faith, respected and respectful of others and proud of his community. He was a very active member of Hope Lutheran Church having served as Chairman of the Building Committee, President of the Council and member of the West Norway Lake Cemetery Association.
DeWayne was an active community member as well. He was a longtime supervisor of the Kerkhoven Township Board and a board member of Arctander – Lake Andrew Mutual Insurance Company and Swift County Township Officers Association.
His family and friends fondly recall DeWayne’s never ending smile, kindness, optimism and twinkle in his eye. He always had time to help others whether it was his family or his neighbors in need. DeWayne was proud of his family; attending as many of his grandchildren and great grandchildren’s activities as he could, such as birthdays, sporting events, plays, concerts and ski shows.
Surviving are his children: Gary (and Joyce) Rudningen of Murdock, Diane (and Martin) Gjerde of Brooten, David (and Sheri) Rudningen of Sunburg; 9 grandchildren: Stephanie (and Jeremy) Lang, Eric (and Mariah) Rudningen, Aaron (and Kim) Rudningen, Wayne (and Angie) Rudningen, Todd (and Kala) Rudningen, Michelle (and Kurt) Herickhoff, Martin (and Becky) Gjerde, Joquel (and Rick) Molenaar, Jessica (and Andy) Hill; and 22 great grandchildren. Surviving siblings include: Winfield (and Gladys) Rudningen of Brainerd, Eileen Norby of New London and Alice (and Marshall) Williams of Maple Grove.
He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, Delores, brother, Russell, sisters, Yvonne Lindgren and Lenore Ellendson and grandchildren, Joshua Rudningen, Lisa Gjerde and Holli Rudningen.
