Pat Rudolph

July 25, 1929 - December 31, 2017

Visitation: Family will greet visitors at the church an hour prior to the service.

Service: Funeral service: 10:30 a.m. Saturday, January 20, at Canton United Methodist Church, 621 E 4th St, Canton, SD—receptions with family & friends following each

Pat Rudolph picPatricia Close Rudolph—previously from Sioux Falls & Canton, SD—died at age 88 on December 31, 2017, in Maple Grove, MN.

Born July 25, 1929, to Clark & Irene (Dewey) Close—Pat graduated from SF Washington high school and Iowa State University. She married Blaine Rudolph on August 2, 1952, and “gloried in” a loving 64-year union.

Pat was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; her brother, Chauncey Close, & his wife, Phyllis Murphy; in-laws Godfrey & Henrietta Roberts; and her son Jimmy.

A natural homemaker and teacher, with a spirit for adventure, she strove to improve every community of which she was a part. Pat’s children, grandchildren, and friends knew her as a loving mother, a fun grandmother, and kind friend.

During her wonderful, sometimes difficult, final years—a remarkable number of loved ones, who were blessed to have shared important moments with Pat, witnessed her grace as she persevered “one hug at a time.”

Survived by her children, Dan (Jacque), Claudia, Kate (Mark), and Bill (Paula); her grandchildren, Aaron (Torrey), Kara (Will), Kristin (Andrew), Rachel (Andy), Kaylee (Alex), Todd (Juliana), Kirk, Martin, and Mitchell; great-grandchild Eli; nieces and nephews, Tom (Lori) & Chris (Ric Larson) Roberts and Denise, Sharon (Cheryl Mann) & Kelly (Andy Milbauer) Close, and great-nephew, Kai.

Funeral service:  Saturday, January 20, at 10:30 a.m. at Canton United Methodist Church, 621 E 4th St, Canton, SD. Family will greet vsitors at the church an hour prior to the service. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given either to St. David’s Center (Minnetonka, MN), Love INC (Canton, SD), or the charity of your choice

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12 messages have been left

  1. Gail (Everhart) Bauer on January 4, 2018 said:

    I remember Pat and the overflow of love and kindness she showed my Aunt Betty Ann Everhart. She was always there for her to help in whatever she needed. But it was her quiet kindness and warm smile that seemed to guide her faithfulness to friends and family. She was a good person that I have a feeling impacted many. God Bless her memory.

  2. Maxine Evenson Savage on January 4, 2018 said:

    I had Pat as my Home Ec teacher for three years at Harrisburg High School, before moving to Valley Springs, SD. She was a special friend and I loved her as a teacher, my favorite teacher. As friendly as she was then, I know she will be greatly missed by all her family and friends. Maxine Evenson Savage, class of 55.

  3. carla mcmurry-kozak on January 4, 2018 said:

    So many fond memories of your dear mother- her spirit will remain stedfast in our minds and hearts-forever Love to you all,
    Rachel McMurry
    John & Katherine McMurry
    Carla & Doug McMurry-Kozak
    Diane McMurry
    Brent & Suzanne McMurry
    Renne & Brit McMurry-Gilman

  4. Diane Schlicht on January 5, 2018 said:

    So sorry for the loss of this great lady who showed everyone you CAN live life to the fullest even when you are sick.

  5. Christie C on January 5, 2018 said:

    I would like to express my deepest sympathy to family and friends. May all your good memories be greater than your sadness during this difficult time. (Isaiah 25:8)

  6. Nancy Goergen on January 5, 2018 said:

    I got to know Pat through the Canton Garden Club. She had a special gift of making you feel very special, wise and listened to – with just a look – what a smile. What a gift Pat was to all who were touched by her life.

  7. Marie Bahr on January 6, 2018 said:

    My heart goes out with deepest sympathy to the family of Pat. God knows your deep heartache and the many tears you shed and he wants to sustain you. In the Bible at 2 Corinthians 4:7 it says that God can give us, “… power beyond what is normal,” to go from one day to the next. This does not mean that we no longer cry or that we forget, but it means we recover. We can recover because of our hope. When Jesus was on earth he saw the grief that his friends Martha and Mary experienced at the death of their brother, Lazarus, the Bible says, “Jesus cried,” (John 11:35). Afterwards, he resurrected Lazarus. Everyone was so joyful at having Lazarus back with them. Jesus Christ talked about our hope in John 5:28, “… all those in the memorial tomb will hear his voice and come out.” Jesus was referring to the resurrection. This is our amazing hope that anchors us. Just like an anchor stabilizes a ship, our hope stabilizes us, keeps us from drowning in overwhelming sadness so we can go from one day to the next. It helps us recover and have the power to go on. Not only does God provide the Bible promises to comfort, he will also comfort you by moving people who care about you to give you help and words of encouragement that you need to hear. When he brings the reality of his promised resurrection, all your tears of pain will be replaced with tears of joy.

  8. Claudie Jacobson Wallen on January 6, 2018 said:

    Pat was an amazing lady. She once spun yarn out of my dogs hair. A true Matriarch of the Rudolph clan, I doubt that I would of survived college if I hadn’t had the Rudolph home to escape to. She was my mom’s best friend. With Pat to support her, Virginia was able to raise the six of us kids and keep it all together while we waited for Jake to return from the wars. Virginia often told me tales of the ‘book club’ that she and Pat gathered with and never once did mentioned what books they discussed. But you could tell the friendship they had was unique and remarkable. One for all times. God bless you Pat.

  9. Lisa Cirks on January 7, 2018 said:

    We were able to get a glimpse of the wonderful woman she was when she would come visit Bill and Paula. She was lovely and we enjoyed visiting with her. As you grieve, know that we are remembering you and honoring Pat’s memory. Our hearts go out to her family.
    Tom and Lisa Cirks

  10. Janel (Short) Kaltenbach on January 11, 2018 said:

    I was blessed to know Pat. Not just through our church family, but through the kids, as we were in school together. She was a wonderful lady. There are many memories for myself and my daughter, but one that really sticks out to me is when she was having a moving sale. Our daughter Kayla loved the punch bowl set and thought why not get it for when she is married, so we purchased it. Pat informed us to use it all the time, as your family did. For a family fun night, holiday gather, for anything you want to fill it with. Don’t just use it for graduation, weddings, etc. I will always remember her spirit and zest for life. She will be missed dearly. Until we visit again Pat.
    My thoughts and prayers are with your family during this time.

  11. Renee Rebnord on January 17, 2018 said:

    Dear family,
    Your mom was such a dear and always so kind. Though it’s been many years, she’s not the kind of lady you forget. She leaves such a beautiful legacy in all of you. My sympathies to you all and prayers for comfort.
    Renee Rebnord

  12. Nancy Ellis on January 17, 2018 said:

    Dan, Claudia, Kate and Billie, my deepest sympathies to you. My memories of Pat are her wonderful laugh, smile and twinkling eyes. She was a great listener and I always got a big warm hug when I visited with her. I know that her suffering has ended and she is reunited with loved ones. You are each shining examples of her and Blaine’s life and the circle continues. Nancy Ellis, Fairview, TX