Rudolph Schoepke Jr.

Rudolph Peter Edward Schoepke Jr. (Rudy), 87, of Delano, Minnesota, passed away Nov. 5, 2021. Born June 9, 1934, on the Mathison homestead farm in rural Wittenberg. His youth was spent living and working on his family farm and later the Mathison farm, where he stepped in to help following the death of his uncle, Carl Mathison. Following his graduation from Wittenberg High School in 1953, Rudy joined the U.S. Army and served as a high-speed radio operator in Germany during the Korean conflict. After leaving the military, he worked at Minnesota Quadion Co., where he retired after 40 years of employment. He served 25 years with the Lions Club of Apple Valley, Minnesota, and has been a member of the American Legion for 31 years. Rudy’s happy nature made him a favorite with all who knew him. He made friends easily and had deep bonds going back many years. He loved spending time with family and friends, and he especially enjoyed his grandchildren and great-grandchildren who adored him. An all-around sports fan, he was a staunch supporter of the Vikings and Twins. He spent many years playing in a softball league in the summer and on a bowling league during the winter. Free time was spent hunting and fishing, most often with his son, Pete. Together they enjoyed many adventures, made many friends and brought home a lot of game birds, fish and deer to share with family and friends. He was preceded in death by his wife of 60 years, Hazel Louise Schoepke; parents, Rudolph Sr. and Sophia (Mathison) Schoepke; sisters Joan Schoepke and Betty Dawson; three children, Mary (Bill) McCarty, of Montrose, Minnesota, Karen (Tim Holleran) Anderson, of Wausau, and Peter (Sara) Schoepke, of Delano, Minnesota; grandchildren Allison Schoepke, Alaina Schoepke, Jennifer Anderson, Danielle Anderson, Jonathan Ellis, Robert Ellis, Joseph Ellis and Zach McCarty; great-grandchildren Sophia Ellis, William Ellis, Connor McCarty, Anderson McCarty, Charlotte McCarty, Timothy Coddington, Keira Schoepke and Ernest McLean; and his brother, Jon (Debbie) Schoepke, of Siren. A celebration of Rudy’s life will be held at Light of Christ Lutheran Church on Friday, Nov. 19, 2021, at 2 p.m. Reception to follow at 514 Meadow Rose Court in Delano. Military honors service at Fort Snelling on Dec. 20, 2021, at 2 p.m.