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Last modified: Tuesday, February 24, 2009 4:21 PM CST

Rudolph “Rudy” A. Dotzenrod Jr., 85

Rudolph “Rudy” A. Dotzenrod Jr., 85, Wyndmere, N.D., died Saturday, Feb. 21, 2009, at St. Francis Healthcare Campus-Hospital, Breckenridge, Minn.

Funeral service will be at 2 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 24 at the Wyndmere United Methodist Church with the Rev. Michael Ward officiating.

Visitation was from 5-8 p.m. Monday, Feb. 23 with a 7 p.m. prayer service at the church; also visitation Tuesday one hour prior to service at the church.

Burial will be held at Elk Creek Cemetery, Wyndmere.

Casketbearers will be his grandsons and nephews, Chad Dotzenrod, Kevin Dotzenrod, Ryan Dotzenrod, Justin Langseth, Nathan Mark, Bill Dotzenrod and Neil Little.

Rudolph Albert Dotzenrod Jr. was born April 30, 1923, Wyndmere Township the fifth son of Rudolph A. and Ellen (Gustafson) Dotzenrod. He graduated from Wyndmere High School in 1941 and attended North Dakota State College of Science at Wahpeton. After graduation he joined his brothers in farming/livestock and Dotzenrod Implement business at Wyndmere. He served with the U.S. Merchant Marines during WWII. Rudy married the love of his life, Janet Little on March 16, 1946. They were married at the Wyndmere Methodist Church where Rudy was a life long member. In 1962 until the present, Rudy operated “Rudy’s Inc.” collecting and trading firearms across the US and internationally.

After retiring from the implement business, Rudy and his two brothers, Alvin and Edwin, enjoyed restoring stationary gasoline engines and Minneapolis Moline tractors.

Rudy had served on the Wyndmere School Board, Wyndmere Methodist Church Board and choir, volunteered and was a past Board member at the Bagg Bonanza Farm, was a member of the Dakota Territory Gun Collectors Assoc. and a life member of the NRA.

Rudy loved to hunt and especially enjoyed the 50 years of traveling to Bullion Butte Ranch with his sons, grandsons, and other family members.

Rudy loved to travel with Janet across the U.S. in their motorhome, attending gun shows and memorizing poetry while traveling down the road together. Other interests were gardening, reading history, playing Trivial Pursuit with his family, and family gatherings at Deer Lake. Rudy was very proud of each of his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

He is survived by: his wife, Janet, of 62 years, Wyndmere; four children, Paul (Marlys) Dotzenrod, Wyndmere, Joel (Sharon) Dotzenrod, Wahpeton, N.D., Betty Dotzenrod, Fargo, Laurie (Scott) Bradley, Lodi, Calif.; eight granddaughters; five grandsons; 14 great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by: his parents; his brothers, Lloyd, Ralph, Edwin and Alvin.

Rudy will be greatly missed by all who were so fortunate to know him. His integrity, deep faith in God, unconditional love and sense of humor were a gift to us all.

Arrangements are entrusted to the care of the Vertin-Munson Funeral Home, Wahpeton.

Rudy Dotzenrod, 85