Dad's Funeral Tribute

For those of you who could not make it to my dad's funeral, below is the tribute that I read this past Tuesday as we celebrated John's life. Below is a picture of dad with his three girls wearing the gifts ( hats and scarfs) that he picked out for us this past Christmas.

My name is Kim Rudd and I am the youngest of Johnny’s three daughters. I want to thank you all for coming out today to celebrate my dad’s life. Over the last few days it has been incredible to read all the good memories that family and friends have written about my dad. In the next few minutes I would like to share some thoughts about dad on behalf of my sisters Dawn and Linda and especially for you mom.

One of my earliest memories from childhood is riding in the back of Dad’s pickup with a pile of pumpkins that we delivered to all of his model construction customers. In the years to come all three daughters would gain the experience of working alongside dad on the construction site. Dad taught us the importance of working hard and doing your absolute best for every customer he served. 

Along with teaching us girls a good work ethic, he also demonstrated the importance of playing hard - Dad liked to have fun. Over the years he enjoyed trying out different recreation sports in God’s creation. Some of our best family vacation memories come from fishing and snowmobiling up at Uncle Donny’s cabin. Dad was always up for an adventure in the woods with our yearly card club campouts. During the early eighty’s he purchased our entire family cross country ski equipment – which has now become one of my life time sports that I have enjoyed passing down to my children.

Some of my Dad’s weekend hobbies also included cooking.  Some of my best family memories come from the Chili competitions that my dad entered during the early 1980’s.  I was so proud to be a part of the Pot Bellied Pot Watchers team where my sisters and I learned the skills to become champion chili competitors. Chili cooking was a launching pad for grilling competitions. There have been endless graduations, birthdays, holidays and family reunions where there has been a crowd gathered around dad’s grill.  He had a way of entertaining a crowd and loved to see people enjoy his barbeque.

  Along with cooking and barbequing Dad had a love for gardening.  One of the first places Dad headed to after a hard day’s work was his vegetable garden. Somehow it became a peaceful sanctuary where he could enjoy God’s creation. A few weeks ago I was digging up Dad’s garden beds and asked him where he learned to become such a successful gardener. He replied –“I learned it from my own mother.”

On Mother’s Day weekend my Dad posted the following message on Facebook relating to gardening. My mom is gone, but my memory of her is still imprinted in everything I do.  All my wonderful daughters have a garden, where did they learn to garden? from me and their mother. Mothers have a big influence – it is fun to watch!” Dad, I agree with you – both you and mom have left a forever imprint on all of our lives.

There are three main passions that my dad demonstrated to his family and friends that I hope in my own life can be imprinted on everything I do.

·        First Dad had a passion for people – The last few years dad has enjoyed life with so many friends and family. When he walked in the room the whole atmosphere just lit up upon seeing Johnny’s smile and hearing his laugh. Dad was the life of the party. Whether it was fishing outings with nephews, poker night with the buddies, Mystery trips with friends, visiting with neighbors, or sending receiving one of his crazy emails - we all felt loved by Johnny’s presence. Thank you dad for sharing your love with so many.

·        Secondly Dad had a Passion for Giving –  Throughout the years growing up Dad taught all three of his daughters the importance of serving the Lord at Church through his faithful example. Dad enjoyed serving with the men’s club through countless pancake breakfasts and fall festivals to raise money for various outreach programs through ST. Odilia’s. Along with serving dad was generous with the gifts that God had blessed him with– whether it was tithing to the Lord during difficult times of his business, sharing his garden harvest with the neighbors or taking the time to help his children with home improvement projects – he was an example of open arms.  

Perhaps the most special gift of love dad displayed was the well thought out Christmas gifts that he purchased for his your three daughters each year. The gifts were great – but what was special is the thoughtful love and excitement in which he gave those gifts each year. Each one here has been imprinted with Johnny’s gift of giving. Thank you for your generosity.

·        Lastly, Dad had a Passion for Life – Dad almost always woke up with a smile on his face. I remember as a child hearing him singing and whistling at early hours in the morning as I would hear pots and pans banging in the kitchen for all to hear – Time to get up!  God’s joy was present in dad’s life and he enjoyed sharing it with those around him. Johnny lived life to the fullest.. Almost every person who knew my dad talks about how they will miss his smile and laugh. Thank you for sharing your passion, zest and joy for life Dad - your smile and laugh will live on in all of our hearts.

My dad was not perfect – but really - who is? Now that I am a parent I realize all my sinful imperfections even more.  Each one of us on our own is hopeless without the blood of Jesus Christ to wash us clean. Thank goodness there is hope and freedom in Jesus Christ.

This past week my dad experienced some of his favorite things - eating fresh produce from his garden, getting together with family to celebrate Mother’s Day and his final visit to the lake with mom just the day before he left us. Dad must have sensed that God was calling him back home. His very last words to me in person on Mother’s day was– “We just have to keep getting together since we never know when our last day will be”. Some of the last few emails Dad sent out to family and friends were focused on heaven. The morning Johnny passed was Holy Thursday - The Ascension of Our Lord, which occurred 40 days after Jesus Christ rose from the dead on Easter and  on this day we celebrate how the risen Christ, in the sight of His apostles, ascended bodily into Heaven.

In closing I would like you to hear Johnny’s voice one last time. This was my last phone call from dad after he and mom arrived up at the lake on Tuesday night before he passed.

“This is dad, we’re safely at the lake – coming home tomorrow. “

   Now, dad you are home safe in the arms of the Lord. Can’t wait until the day we meet again in heaven where we can walk together in God’s beautiful gardens and catch another big one in His majestic lakes.  Until then, we will all miss your smile, laughter and love. I love you Dad.