Gerald Rudolph (Seymour)'s Obituary
Gerald L. Rudolph, son of Walter and Vesta (Keller) Rudolph, was born May 7, 1936 in Diggins, Missouri. He departed this life on Thursday, November 7, 2013, at the age of seventy-seven years, six months.
Born and raised in the area, Gerald became the man of the house when his dad died suddenly of a heart attack when he was 10 yrs old. He married the love of his life Una Marie Kasterke on June 2, 1957 and to this union one son and three daughters were born. He milked cows for several years and then sold out to raise “Santa Gertudis” beef cows in 1984. He worked for MFA and then started working for The Seymour Bank retiring after 45 years of service. He held the position of bank President for ten years and still served on the board of directors and many bank boards including the Missouri bank board for many years after.
He is preceded in death by his parents, his son Kevin Rudolph; his brother Kenneth Rudolph and his father-in-law Scott Kasterke.
Gerald is survived by his wife of fifty-six years Una Marie Rudolph; his daughters Gena Cooper and husband Mike of Seymour, Missouri, Kelly Kellum and husband Melvin of Rogersville, Missouri and Lessli Pruett and husband Paul of Seymour, Missouri; his grandchildren Christy and Scott O’Dell, Jeromy Rudolph, Shoji and Leigh-Ann McGhee, Joshua and Chasten Kellum, Kaylee and Grant Terry, Shane Pruett, Zachary and Heather Thomas, Whitney Thomas, Mike and Amy Cooper, Mark and Crystal Cooper; his great-grandchildren Taylor Motyl, Trevor Motyl, Keegan O’Dell, Liam McGhee, Eva McGhee, Braylee Kellum, Hunter Thomas, Rowan Cooper, McKenzie Johnson and Makayla Johnson, as well as two on the way; his brother Ronald Rudolph and wife Karen of Marshfield, Missouri; his sister Kathryn Cutbirth of New Braunsfels, Texas; his mother-in-law Vesta Kasterke, and brother-in-law Scotty Kasterke and wife Judy; several nieces, nephews and a host of other dear family and friends.
Dedicated to the Lord throughout his life, Gerald was a member of the Zion Lutheran Church in Diggins, Missouri where he was an Elder in the church, served as secretary and treasurer for several years and was a leader at the Zion Cemetery. Gerald lived his faith every day. He was quick to help his neighbor, to serve his community and to give to others he was a man after God’s heart. He understood conviction and being a good steward. He often raised his voice in praise in several gospel quartet groups.
Gerald taught himself to auction by selling the family cows in the barn lot. This passion went on to serve him and his family in the Rudolph Auction Service. He served on the Seymour School Board for three terms, Apple Festival Chairman in 1977 and 1993, and community boards such as Webco Industry and Nursing Home board and the Webster County Heath Unit board. He held auctions for Webco Waves yearly at the Webco Nursing Home. Gerald held the honor of the Seymour Citizen of the year
Never to be idle, Gerald loved to spend time working his cattle and enjoying the blessing God had given him. His greatest of all was his family. He loved them and they love them. Many lives in this area have been touched by Gerald Rudolph, he was never much for praise but he leaves a legacy of a faithful and honorable man.
Gerald L. Rudolph, a loving husband, devoted father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, uncle and a caring neighbor and friend. We celebrate his life and accomplishments and will cherish each moment spent with him. Although he will be greatly missed, we take comfort in the truth of our Lord Jesus Christ that we will meet again.
Services for Gerald L. Rudolph will be held Monday, November 11, 2013 at 1 p.m. in the Seymour Nazarene Church. Burial will follow at Zion Cemetery, Diggins, Missouri under the direction of the Holman Howe Funeral Home of Seymour. No formal visitation, friends and family may call on the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to the Zion Cemetery, the Seymour YMCA, St. Jude’s, American Diabetes Association or the Seymour Library. Online condolences may be made at www.holmanhowe.com
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