Gordon Rud, age 69, of Ottertail, passed away on April 20, 2025, in rural Ottertail. Visitation will be held on Thursday, May 1, 2025, from 4-7 pm with a prayer service at 6:30 p.m. at Karvonen Funeral Home in New York Mills. Funeral Services will be held on Friday, May 2, 2025, at 11 a.m. at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Richville, with Reverend Dr. Karl Weber, Pastor officiating. Visitation will resume one hour prior to services at church. Congregational hymns will be accompanied by Deb Buehler. Pallbearers are Jason Gunkel, Eric Gunkel, Justin Gunkel, LeRoy Ament, Gail Bolstad, Mike Porter, and John Gunkel. Gordon will be laid to rest in St. Paul’s Lutheran Cemetery, Richville.

Gordon Ernest Rud was born on March 31, 1956, in Fergus Falls. His parents are the late Rudolph Ernest and Evelyn Victoria (Lofthus) Rud. Gordon was Baptized on May 15, 1956, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Fergus Falls and later confirmed at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Richville on January 1, 2017. Gordon grew up in the city of Fergus Falls and attended the Lincoln Grade School until the 4th grade, then moving to Jewett Lake where he finished country school and then went to Fergus Falls for High School. He continued with college courses at the Minnesota State Community and Technical College in Wadena.

While growing up Gordon worked for neighboring farms until he was 14 years old. He got his first job in Fergus Falls at Olie’s Car Wash & Champion Station where he was employed for 3 years. The next year he worked at the Skelly Station until high school was complete. Gordon spent the next 2 summers on custom harvest crews combining wheat from Texas to Langdon, N.D.

In 1979 Gordon made his home in Henning, Minnesota where he was employed with area farmers for a couple years. Gordon was married to Cathy Diane Olson from 1979 to 2008. In 1979 Gordon went to work for Lund Boats in New York Mills and was employed with them for 34 years while residing in Henning, Deer Creek and presently Ottertail, Minnesota. In 2009 Gordon was united in marriage with Laurie Kathleen True.

Gordon enjoyed hunting, fishing and coin collecting. He was a member of the FFA, NRA and Republican Party.

On April 20,2025 Gordon passed away in a car accident on Sunday, April 20, 2025, in rural Battle Lake, at 69 years of age. He will be dearly missed by his family and friends. Preceding Gordon in death were his parents, Rudolph and Evelyn Lofthus; son, Tyler Rud; brother, Gary Rud; and son-in-law: Craig Fenske.

Gordon is survived by his loving wife, Laurie Rud; son, Michael Rud; daughter, Lainie Fenske; stepson Casey Kapusansky; stepdaughter, Angela Kapusanky; grandchildren: Brady, Bryce and Brylee; nieces and nephews: Levi, Hope, Charity and Faith; brother, Steve Rud; sister-in-law, Denise Rud; brother-in-law: Gene True; nephews: Jason, Justin, and Eric; many other relatives and a host of friends.

Please visit karvonenfuneralhome.com to leave a message of comfort and support for Gordon’s family.

Arrangements provided by Karvonen Funeral & Cremation Service of New York Mills.