Lee L. Rudd

Lee L. Rudd, age 81, of La Grande, died Monday, January 8, 2007 at his home. A Celebration of Life will begin at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, January 12, 2007 at Daniels Chapel of the Valley. Committal and interment will follow at the Hillcrest Cemetery. Viewing will be held on Thursday from 4:00 until 6:00 p.m. at Daniels Chapel of the Valley.

Lee was born on February 17, 1925, the son of Oscar Lewis and Marie Elizabeth (Haggerty) Rudd in Craig, Colorado. After he got out of school he started doing farm work. He worked his way to Oregon in 1941 where he was a farmhand for the Dick Hibberd Ranch. In 1943 he enlisted in the United States Navy and served until his honorable discharge in May of 1946. He worked for the City of La Grande in the water department for several years and in 1966 he went to work for the Particleboard plant and worked as a knife grinder until 1987 when he retired.

On January 31, 1948 he married Geraldine "Jerry" Pfel in La Grande. They had three children, two of whom preceded him in death. They enjoyed many years of country music dancing at the Eagles and fishing and camping together. He enjoyed steelhead fishing, hunting and boating, about anything out of doors. He also enjoyed woodworking, making many rocking chairs and tables. He liked watching rodeos, especially bull riding. His family was of great importance and he enjoyed being with them and spending quality time with them.

Survivors include his wife, Jerry Rudd; daughter, Kathleen Peters; daughter-in-law, Kathy Nantz, all of La Grande; brothers, Orland Rudd and Wallace Rudd, both of Cove, Jack Rudd of La Grande and Raymond Rudd of Coeur d'Alene, Idaho; sisters, Marjorie Birchmier of Idaho and Virginia Cassingham of Redding, California; five grandchildren; nine great grandchildren and other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by daughter, Christine Rudd in 1967 and Calvin Rudd in 1998.

Those who wish may make contributions in memory of Mr. Rudd to the Bishop Foot House or the Mountain States Tumor Institute in care of Daniels Chapel of the Valley, 1502 7th Street, La Grande, Oregon 97850.