RUDOLF ROMAN

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RUDOLF ROMAN

1936 - 2024

Passed away peacefully, surrounded by his loving children, on Wednesday, February 28, at Grace General Hospital, Winnipeg at the age of 87 years. Rudy was most recently a resident of Bethel Place retirement community in Winnipeg.

Rudolf Roman was born April 18, 1936, in Elk Point, Alberta to German parents who had immigrated to Canada from Europe. The family had established a new farm in the Elk Point area, but moved in 1952 to Manitoba to be closer to relatives who had settled there. Rudy attended school in nearby Amaranth, Manitoba before ultimately leaving the farm and moving to Winnipeg, where he would reside all of his adult life.

Rudy met Katherine (Kay) Penner at a dance in Winnipeg in 1957, and the two were married at St. John Lutheran Church in Rosenfeld, Manitoba on September 13, 1958. Rudy and Kay worked together as true partners in working, saving, and raising their family. Rudy and Kay imparted to their children a strong work ethic, the virtues of compassion, honesty, and respect, and an abiding Christian faith. Rudy remained a devoted husband to Kay over their 64 years of marriage, lovingly caring for her in her last years until her passing in 2021.

Rudy worked as a long-distance truck driver for ten years, until the many days away from home became too much for his family. He then accepted a driving position with Greyhound and continued to drive for Greyhound for 34 years until he retired. While he drove many routes in both Saskatchewan and Ontario, he drove most often between Winnipeg and Yorkton.

Rudy had an uncanny ability to build and fix things. On his days off, he enjoyed earning additional income by taking on building projects including garages, rec rooms, bathroom renovations, fences and decks. He enjoyed this so much that his wife Kay suggested he build a house for them. He did so, and then built three more houses to sell.

Rudy and Kay enjoyed many memorable trips together including two trips to Hawaii and two to Europe. They also visited Mexico and the Caribbean. After retiring they also spent winter months as snowbirds in Texas for six years. They enjoyed country and gospel music immensely, so they made several trips to Branson, Missouri. Rudy was a great dancer, and taught Kay to dance during their courtship. The couple attended dances regularly throughout the years, moving to the rhythm of waltzes, polkas, shateesh, butterfly, and square dances.

Throughout his life Rudy enjoyed playing cards with friends. As his wife Kay’s health declined, Rudy also took up cooking and baking. He enjoyed inviting people over for one of his famous pickerel dinners, and baking cakes for his card club and friends at Bethel Place.

Rudy was the devoted father of Mel (Anke) and Rhonda, and proud grandfather of Jeremy and Patrick (Erin). Rudy will also be missed by his sisters, Irma Yewchin, Alma Grosseth and Ida Smith, and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents, Ferdinand and Teresa Roman, brothers, Otto and Julius, and sister Adeline Zenko.

A memorial service will be held at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, 600 Cambridge Street in Winnipeg at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 23, 2024, preceded by a viewing at 9:00 a.m. After the memorial service there will be a reception followed by interment at Chapel Lawn cemetery. All are welcome to attend to remember Rudy, to share stories, and to extend a comforting hand as the family lives with his loss.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that charitable donations be made in memory of Rudy to the Kidney Foundation, the Canadian Cancer Society, or the Grace Hospital.

May you rest in peace, and rise in glory.

Chapel Lawn Funeral Home

204-885-9715

Tribute Link: www.chapellawn.ca

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Mar 02, 2024, Mar 02, 2024