Graff, Rudolph “Rudy” passed away May 2, 2007, at Vulcan Community Health Centre at the age of 88 years.
Rudy was born at Estuary, Saskatchewan, on August 21, 1918, the second youngest of twelve children of Ludwig and Maria Graff. The family moved from their Estuary homestead to Westerham, Leader, and to Mendham where Rudy attended Spire School. He married Alvena Lebsack on December 27, 1941 in Calgary, Alberta. In 1942 he enlisted in the Royal Canadian Army Corps and was stationed mainly on the Canadian West Coast. After discharge in 1946, he worked for one year with the Canada Land and Irrigation Company on the maintenance crew in the Lomond-Enchant area while searching for farmland. In January, 1947, he purchased land east of Vulcan where he remained active in mixed farming until his passing.
After Alvena’s passing, Rudy married Helene Koss (nee Wagner) in 1980 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, and they enjoyed their time and extensive travel together. During their trips, Rudy, a farmer at heart, was always looking at the way grain was produced in each different country. He found it fascinating how trees were selectively harvested in the Black Forest of Germany leaving the forest floor undamaged. Rudy also enjoyed fishing and watching hockey games, but his heart was truly blessed and encouraged by the special time spent with his family, friends and relatives, and the church worship services and activities which he regularly attended.
Beloved husband of Helene Graff of Vulcan, loving father of three sons Larry (Barbara), Dr. Clarence (Janet) and Allan (Diana), as well as Connie (Dr. Ron) Boyar and David (Denise) Koss, fourteen grandchildren John (Teresa) Graff, Anita (Theodore) Sorgard, Darrell Graff, Jennifer (James) Scott, Lisa (Andrew) Kemp, Dr. Allison (Jeff) Adema, David Graff, Michael Graff, Nathan Graff and Cristiana Graff, Lisa Koss, Michael Boyar, Rebecca Boyar (Blue Hart), and Stewart Boyar, ten great grandchildren Jared, Kristen, Justin and Kara Graff, Joshua and Andrew Sorgard, Samuel Kemp, Zachery Boyar, Ana and Saffron Hart, fifteen sisters-in-law, ten brothers-in-law and numerous nieces and nephews.
Rudy was predeceased by his first wife, Alvena, in 1978, all of his brothers and sisters, his parents, six sisters-in-law and seventeen brothers-in-law.
A celebration of Rudy’s life Funeral Service will be held Monday, May 7, 2007, at 2 p.m. at Bethel Lutheran Church, (405-3rd Street South) Vulcan with Pastor Jay Holdner officiating.
Interment Vulcan Cemetery.
If friends so desire donations in Rudy’s memory could be sent to Bethel Lutheran Ladies Guild c/o Box 219 Champion T0L 0R0.
Arrangements in care of Vulcan Funeral Home. Directors. Telephone 1-403-485-2633. E-mail condolences to vulcanfuneralhome@hotmail.com.
GRAFF, Rudolph “Rudy” 1918 – 2007