Marion Rude

Marion Gladwin Rude, age 96 of Fergus Falls, MN, and a former longtime resident of rural Gary, MN, passed away peacefully, where she was lovingly cared for at her daughter Roxanne’s home in Fergus Falls on September 3, 2026.

Marion was born on February 9, 1930, to Olaf and Cora (Hagy) Dahl at their rural Gary home. Marion was second to the oldest of nine children. Marion attended country school until 6th grade. After 6th grade she attended Gary High School where she graduated with the Class of 1948. It was during her later teenage years a young man came to her family farm and helped with silo filling-it was at this time that she met her future husband.

Marion was united in marriage to Vernon John Rude on June 18, 1949, at the Rindal Parsonage. They made their home on the Rude family homestead in Bear Park Township where they farmed and raised their four children. During her earlier years she enjoyed sewing, baking, canning, tending to her flower and vegetable gardens, and mowing the lawn. In 1972, she began working as a Nurse’s Aide at the Fair Meadow Nursing Home in Fertile, MN for 32 years. Marion lived on the family farm for many years after Vernon’s passing. In March of 2017, she moved into the Assisted Living Facility in Mahnomen, MN. It was here that she celebrated her 90th birthday and she was known for her sweet personality and gentle hand wave. In mid-2020’s, she moved to Pelican Landing Senior Living Memory Care Unit in Detroit Lakes, MN, where she was known as a kind, sweet and soft-spoken lady. In December of 2021, she moved in with her daughter Roxanne and family members in Fergus Falls until her passing. The sound of her soft singing voice and presence will truly be missed. Holding her hand, the nightly prayers and time they were able to spend and care for mom will forever live in their hearts. The family was very grateful and thankful for their devotion, hard work, and loving dedicated care given to mom during her time in Fergus Falls.

Marion was a member of the Norman Lutheran Church where in her younger years she participated in ladies aid, church bazaars and serving luncheons. Later when Norman Lutheran Church closed, she became a member of Ness Lutheran Church. Marion enjoyed spending time with her children and their families as well as attending family gatherings. She was always happy to get visitors and, in her earlier years, there was always a pot of coffee and goodies just waiting to be served. She also enjoyed playing cards with her brothers, sisters, and in-laws. She also found enjoyment doing word search puzzles, reading the newspaper, writing little notes in her tablet, and watching the Price is Right and Wheel of Fortune. A trip now and then to the Shooting Star Casino to play the slot machines with her sister was also enjoyable for her prior to moving into the assisted living facility in Mahnomen. During her very late years, she would sit ever so quietly and tightly hold your hand.

Marion is lovingly survived by her four children: Michael (Susan) Rude, Waubun, MN, Roxanne (Steven) Kjono, Fergus Falls, MN, Dennis (Lani) Rude, Gold Canyon, AZ, and Valerie (Robert) Bjerk, Crookston, MN; 10 grandchildren: Chadd (Stacey) Rude, Jaynie (Scott) Syverson, Carrie (Tim) Couchman, Wendy (Ryan) Hritz, Luke Kjono, Joshua (Amanda) Rude, Elijah (Karissa) Rude, Daniel Rude (Taylor Wika), Tyler Bjerk (Cassandra Lueras) and Sara (Matthew) Benge; twenty-three great-grandchildren; one great-great grandchild; brothers: Norman (Leona) Dahl, Walter “Bobby” (Eileen) Dahl; sister, Lillian Bennefeld; sister-in-law, Charmayne Bergstrom; and many cherished nieces, nephews, and other relatives.

Marion is greeted into heaven by her husband, Vernon; parents, Olaf and Cora Dahl; brothers, Harry Dahl and Carmen Dahl; sisters: Florence Drellack, Janet Nelson, and Clarice Ose; brothers-in-law: Elmer Drellack, Vincent Nelson, Larry Ose, James Bennefeld, Joris Rud, Kenneth Geldaker, Leonard Bergstrom; sisters-in-law, Beverly Dahl and Annabelle Geldaker; great-grandchild, Cullen Rude; and other dear relatives.

God bless the memory of Marion Rude.

A Funeral Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, September 18, 2026, at Ness Lutheran Church, rural Gary, MN. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service. Burial will be in Norman Lutheran Cemetery, rural Gary.