Billy Delbert Rudolph

Billy Delbert Rudolph, the son of Floyd and Freda (Lehmann) Rudolph, was born September 22, 1936. His sudden departure from this life was on March 23, 2009, at the Jewell County Hospital at the age of 72 years, 6 months, and 1 day.

He was born on a farm south of Cedar, Kansas. When he was a baby the family, along with his grandparents, Harmon and Minnie Rudolph, whom they lived with, moved to north of Smith Center, where he attended a country grade school. He attended high school in Smith Center.

After high school he enlisted in the Army National Guard and served for several years.

Bill started work at an early age to help out the family, due to the loss of his father when he was fourteen years old. During the summers of his high school years he worked for a farmer. When school was in session he worked at whatever odd jobs he could find, sacking groceries, fixing tires at Stoller Service Station, and working cattle at the sale barn on Saturdays. After graduation he went to work for Mini Max in the Ice Cream Department, and also helped out in other areas of the plant when needed.

In 1958, Bill went to work for Jewell-Mitchell Rural Electric Association. In June of 1976 he and his family were relocated from Smith Center to Mankato, Kansas, due to other opportunities within Jewell-Mitchell, where he worked until his retirement in 1998.

On October 26, 1957, he was married to Shirley Mueller, daughter of Arnold and Hilda (Nonamaker) Mueller. To this union four children were born, one son Kevin; and three daughters, Kathy, Karen, and Kim.

Bill grew up attending the Calvary Gospel Church in Smith Center, Kansas, where he was a member of a vocal group. He was baptized as a youth by submersion in the Agra Lake. Later he attended the Lutheran Church with his family.

Bill loved the outdoors and all kinds of sports. In high school he enjoyed the sports of football and basketball. He spent lots of his leisure time bowling, hunting, and fishing with friends and family. In his younger years, he played softball, and was a referee for basketball and football until his children were of age to play sports. In his retirement years he spent his time fishing, and playing cards and Bingo. Bill also liked to travel. He enjoyed and looked forward to spending time with family, his many, many friends and especially his grandchildren and great-granddaughter.

Bill was preceded in death by: his parents; grandparents; and his little sister Donna at the age of three years, due to a tragic accident; a brother-in-law, Frederick; and sisters-in-law, Leeta and Wanda.

Bill is survived by: his wife, Shirley; son, Kevin Lee Rudolph and wife Maria, of Atlanta, Georgia; daughters, Kathy Jo and husband Carl Jensen of Mankato, Kansas; Karen Kay and husband Tom Grokett, of Cottonwood Falls, Kansas, and Kim Anita and husband Robert Greif of Thayer, Kansas; brothers, Jerome Rudolph, of Calvert, Kansas, Larry Rudolph and wife Willa, of Arkansas City, Kansas, Kelly and wife Connie Rudolph, of Salina, Kansas, and Floyd Jr. (Junior) and wife Pam, of Troy, Illinois; sisters Phyllis Bargman, of Smith Center, Kansas, and Colleen and husband Bill Ryan, of Smith Center; brother-in-law Leland Mueller and wife Thelma and family; sister-in-law Janet and husband Richard Lemon and family; fifteen grandchildren, one great-grandchild; many nieces and nephews; and many friends.

Funeral services for Billy Delbert Rudolph were held Saturday, March 28, 2009, at 2:30 p.m. from the Mankato Evangelical Lutheran Church, with Pastor Jim Germer officiating. Music was provided by Irene Ortman, organist, with congregational hymns. Pall bearers were: Michael Greif, Stuart Jensen, Kyle Grokett, Kelsey Rudolph, Connor Grokett, and Ty Lemon. Interment was in Mount Hope Cemetery, Mankato, Kansas. Memorials may be made to the Mankato Evangelical Lutheran Church, or the Calvary Gospel Church, Smith Center. Melby Mortuary, Mankato, was in charge of arrangements.