The funeral service for Rudy Helmut Radfan of Pickerel Lake Township, will be 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 23, at Concordia Lutheran Church of Pickerel Lake.

The Rev. Wendy Anderson will officiate.

Interment will be in the church cemetery.

Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday at Bonnerup Funeral Service, Albert Lea, and one hour before the service at the church.

Rudy died Saturday, Dec. 16, 2006, at the Mission Nursing

Home, Plymouth.

He was 83 years old.

Rudy was born June 25, 1923 in Germany to Albert and Emma (Sens) Radfan.

He immigrated with his family at the age of 1 year to the United States and entered through Ellis Island and then settled in the Walters – Kiester area. He was a member of the Conservation Corp. during the war and helped develop the Gun Flint Trail.

Rudy was married to Marvel Krueger on June 21, 1945, at

Concordia Lutheran Church of Pickerel Lake. Rudy was a member of Concordia Lutheran Church of Pickerel Lake and had served as a trustee and usher.

Rudy was a farmer. He especially enjoyed milking and raising his cattle.

Rudy enjoyed watching John Wayne, Roy Rodgers and Gene Autry movies.

He also liked playing pranks and telling jokes. Rudy liked dancing, playing cards and especially listening to polka music. Rudy was also a good yodeler.

Rudy and Marvel enjoyed opening their home to friends and family.

Rudy is survived by his daughter, Elaine (Jerry) Vance of Albert Lea; son, Dennis Radfan; granddaughter, Rachelle (Martin) Radfan-Tulashie of Detroit, Mich., and their children, Nina and Evan;

grandson, James (Cindy) Wenz of Marietta, S.C. and their children, McKenzie and Elizabeth; sisters-in-law, Berneta Hansen, Harriet Bartell, Leona Swenson and Rosie (Tom) Somnis; and nieces, nephews and cousins.

Rudy is preceded in death by his parents, Albert and Emma Radfan;

wife, Marvel Radfan;

and brother Ralph Radfan.