Rudolph Raths

Rudolph “Rudy” Henry Raths was born on March 5, 1925, in Eldorado Township, Stevens County, Minnesota to James and Catherine (Gorgan) Raths.  He attended country school through the eighth grade east of Herman.  Rudy stayed on the farm to help his father while his brothers went into the military.  At the age of 18, Rudy purchased his first farm.

While attending a dance in Donnelly, Rudy met Shirley Towner.  Rudy was united in marriage to Shirley on October 1, 1946, at the Federated Church in Morris.  The couple was blessed with five children and lived on a farm 6 miles north of Herman.  The family farmed corn, wheat, soybeans and raised cattle.  Rudy also sold agriculture equipment and seed.  He manufactured Raths Snowblowers for 30 years out of his shop on the farm.  Rudy loved taking his equipment to farm shows at the State Fair, FarmFest and was one of the first 5 exhibitors at Big Iron in Fargo.  In 1983, their son, Paul, took over the farm and Shirley and Rudy moved into Morris.  They moved to Alexandria in 1995, to enjoy the life on Lake Latoka.  Rudy and Shirley enjoyed 35 years of wintering in Arizona.

Shirley died in 2014, and Rudy continued his wintering in Arizona.  He became involved in a men’s bible study and a billiards group. When Rudy was in Alexandria he loved attending the bible study at Cullen’s Home Center.  Rudy had a love of sweets and desserts, so he taught himself how to bake pies, brownies and monster cookies.

Rudy was involved in the Knights of Columbus, National Farmers Organization (NFO) and the National Cattlemen’s Association.  Shirley and Rudy helped start the Ridge Rider Saddle Club and the Monaco Motor Coach Club, who became like an extended family to them as they enjoyed going to rallies and traveling together for 40 years.  Rudy and Shirley also enjoyed traveling to dances and Polka Fests.  The family enjoyed annual camping trips to National Parks.  Rudy loved to work, had a passion for and devoted his life to farming.  He also loved horses and going to rodeos.

Rudy died Monday, July 2, 2018, at Bethany On The Lake in Alexandria at the age of 93 under the care of Hospice of Douglas County.  He is survived by his children, Sandra Raths (Richard Grammer) of San Diego, CA, Paul (Jane) Raths of Norcross, MN, Patricia (Lowell) Nelson of Hancock, MN, Julie (Donald) Larson of Blaine, MN, and Connie (Daryl) Amundson of Alexandria, MN; 12 grandchildren: Warren Johnson, Chris (Micah) Raths, Angie (Danny) Huseth, Mike Raths, Jessica (Tyson) Bartell, Erik (Bre) Nelson, Amy (John) Sand, Clint (Janice) Larson, Gavin (Sarah) Larson, Cole (Heather) Amundson, Brady Amundson, and Blake Amundson; 16 great-grandchildren; sister-in-law, Irene Raths of Morris; and many nieces and nephews.  Rudy is preceded in death by his parents, James and Catherine; siblings, Margaret Wirtjes, Emil Raths, Leo Raths, Leona Stowe, Marcellus Raths, Emma Asmus, and Elsie Schuman.

Evening visitation will be held at Anderson Funeral Home on Monday, July 9, 2018 from 5-8PM with prayer service beginning at 5PM. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Alexandria on Tuesday, July 10, 2018 at 11 AM with visitation starting one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment to follow at St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery.

Memorials are preferred to Hospice of Douglas County or the Church of St. Mary in Alexandria.