Donald Elmer Charles Rudd, 87. On the morning of October 10, 2014, Don Rudd was taken to Heaven in the arms of Jesus Christ. He was born on August 31, 1927 in Minneapolis, MN to Florence (Swanson) and Elmer Charles Rudd.

Don graduated with a Business Degree from St. Cloud University, St. Cloud, Minnesota. While attending the University, after seeing a newspaper clipping of a beautiful Minnesota Homecoming Queen from Minneapolis, he asked through a friend, for a blind date. It was then that he met the love of his life, Joan Zipoy. He was united in marriage to Joan on September 15, 1951 at the Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Minneapolis and shared 63 years in a loving marriage.

Shortly after their marriage, Don was recruited by the West Bend Company in their Outboard Motor Division, and relocated to West Bend, WI. Together, they raised three children: Mary Rudd Immekus, Peter (Mary) Rudd, and Timothy (Laurie) Rudd; eight grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

After a 25-year career with Mercury Marine as a Product Manager of Parts and Accessories, Don and Joan called Lake Havasu, Arizona their home for 20 winter seasons. It was there they met many new and close friends, enjoyed golfing and the outdoors together, enjoying retirement to its fullest.

Don enjoyed to travel with his wife Joan and they shared many cruises and vacations throughout their marriage. Don had a passion for photography and leaves behind many beautiful videos and photos of their travels. He loved the outdoors especially golfing, fishing, boating on Minnesota's Forest Lake, Big Cedar Lake and Lake Michigan. He had the gift of being very mechanical and found it interesting to assemble outboard motors, and his family could always rely on his ability to "fix anything." He was an avid golfer and enjoyed golfing with good friends as he was a member of Hon E Kor Country Club. He had two hole-in-one shots at Hon E Kor. The first was in April 2000 on hole #7 and the second was September 2003 on hole #3.

Don's life was his family. His children adored him calling him "Daddio" for short. He was a friend and true father offering a lifetime of love and stability to them. His courageous battle with Alzheimer's Disease was an inspiration to all of his family. He loved visits from his grandchildren and even in the later stages of his disease showed joy and happiness at their presence. He was so honored to hold his first great-grandchild before he passed.

Don is survived by his wife Joan (nee Zipoy); Children: Mary Rudd Immekus of West Bend, Peter (Mary) Rudd of Oshkosh, Timothy (Laurie) Rudd of Menomonee Falls; Grandchildren: Julia (Alan) Webb of Portland, Oregon, David (Chen) Rudd of Oshkosh, Jacob (Calena) Rudd of Nebraska, Eric Rudd of Missouri, Molly Rudd of Oshkosh, Andi Rudd of Milwaukee, Kayla Rudd of Menomonee Falls, Matt Rudd of Menomonee Falls; Great-grandchildren: Joanie Webb of Portland, Oregon and two more "on the way"—Dave and Chen and Jacob and Calena. He is further survived by other relatives and friends.

Don is preceded in death by his mother Florence (nee Swanson) and Elmer Charles Rudd; sisters Merle (Bob) LaBissonaire and Marilyn (Don) Morin.

The Funeral Service will be held on Thursday, October 16, 2014 at 12:00 PM at the Phillip Funeral Home Chapel (1420 W Paradise Drive, West Bend) with Rev. David Schoob presiding. The Visitation will be held at the funeral home from 11:00 AM until the time of service at noon. Private inurnment will take place at Washington County Memorial Park. Memorial donations to Trinity Lutheran Church (140 N 7th Ave, West Bend) would be appreciated.

The family would like to offer a special thank you to the staff on Silverbrook at Cedar Lake Campus and to the special hospice workers and services offered by Cedar Lake Hospice.