Dr. Paul D. Rud

DR. PAUL DAVID RUD was born on March 28, 1936 to the Rev. Oscar and Melva (Rindahl) Rud in Fairdale, North Dakota. He was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith. Paul attended school at Augustana Academy in Canton, South Dakota, graduating in 1954. Following graduation, he enlisted in the United States Army. He was stationed in Germany where he served as a Private First Class. During this time he also played for the Army traveling baseball team. He received his honorable discharge in 1956. Paul returned home and enrolled at Augustana College in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. He married his high school sweetheart, Janice Holmquist, on June 3, 1958 in Sioux Falls. The couple lived in Sioux Falls while Paul finished his undergrad in pre-med at Augustana, graduating in 1959. The couple moved to Vermillion, South Dakota while Paul attended USD Medical School from 1959-1961 and then lived in Madison, Wisconsin while he finished his studies at the University of Wisconsin Medical School from 1961-1963. Paul’s medical internship took them back to Sioux Falls where he worked at Sioux Valley Hospital from 1963-1964. In 1964, Paul began his medical practice as a family physician at Luverne Medical Center in Luverne, Minnesota. It was at this time that they bought their home on North Cottage Grove where they put down their roots and raised their family. Paul was an intelligent, caring doctor with an incredible bedside manner. He knew how to put patients at ease. In addition to his family medicine focus, he founded the cardiac care unit at the Luverne Hospital, taught cardiac classes at local hospitals, and was a mentor to many doctors and nurses throughout the years. He retired from his practice in 2000. During retirement years, he enjoyed having morning coffee with the guys, being up north with Jan at the family cabin on Sand Lake, researching genealogy, and spending time with his kids and grandkids. On August 2, 2018, family was right by his side as Paul died peacefully under hospice care at his home at the age of 82 years, 4 months and 4 days.

Paul was a member of Grace Lutheran Church in Luverne where he had served as Past President. He also served as Past President of the USD Medical Alumni Association. He was a volunteer at the Rock County Historical Society where he spent many hours researching family and military history. Paul loved to fish, both as a Professional Walleye Tour Member and recreational fishing. He was a sports enthusiast and enjoyed following college basketball and the Minnesota Twins. He also enjoyed playing bridge with friends and family. Paul loved making lefse with family on Christmas Eve. He will be remembered as a stoic, humble, patient, kind and loving man by his family.

Paul is survived by his wife Janice of Luverne; his children, Nathan (Sandy) Rud of Luverne, Sara Wells of Flourtown, PA, and Gretchen Rud of Coon Rapids, MN; seven grandchildren, Kayla Rud, Kristin Rud, Nikita Rud, Mara Wells, Jonah Wells, Sofia Schumann and Max Schumann; his sister Lois (Anthony) Rud-Rubino of Barnegat, NJ; sisters-in-law, Phyllis (James) Gould of Sioux Falls, Joyce (Dick) Lee of Alpena, MI, and Eunice Rud of Rapid City, SD; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and relatives. He was preceded in death by his parents; his siblings, Lydia Russeth, James Rud and Harold Rud; his siblings-in-law, Sylvia and Richard Bartling, Alice Rud and Palmer Russeth.

Memorials preferred to Grace Lutheran Church or Rock County Historical Society.