Obituary for LeRoy "Snookie" Rud

“Snookie” Virgil Rud, 82, of Caledonia, Minn., passed away Tuesday, March, 25, 2025 surrounded by his loved ones at home.

Snookie was born August 24, 1944, in Jefferson Township, Houston County, Minn., to Elmer and Elsie (Sass) Rud. Snookie was the youngest of eleven children and was raised in Winnebago Valley, where all of his fondest childhood memories were made. On February 28, 1965, he married the love of his life, Margie Lou Klinski. Together, they built their life together that was founded on faith, family, and hard work. Together, they had one son, Jodi. Snookie’s pride and joy was being a father, teaching Jodi how to be kind, patient, and work hard. Throughout his life, Snookie worked several different jobs, at Mathy Construction, He and Margie owned and ran the Lawrence Lake Marina in Brownsville for 11 years. Snookie worked full time at Mathy Construction while Margie and Jodi ran the Marina, just another testament to his work ethic. Together, he and Margie made lifelong friendships and memories while running the Lawrence Lake Marina that Snookie would talk fondly about throughout the years.

After retirement, you could find Snookie in the backyard in his blue plaid shirt, wide brimmed hat, overalls, and cane, enjoying the sunny day on the swing with Margie and his special kitty, Muffin. He took pride in his meticulously kept yard, spending countless hours on his John Deere lawn mower, mowing the grass, raking the leaves, and then finally bagging them. Slow golf cart rides to keep tabs on the neighborhood were his favorite, often stopping to chat with several of the neighbors before ending the Green Acres stroll. His family was his pride and joy, whom he loved unconditionally. He and Margie shared a love that was once in a lifetime, recently celebrating their 60 year wedding anniversary. Together, they shared a strong faith as members of the St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Caledonia. He adored his grandchildren, Vanessa and Hunter, watching them grow up, find spouses, and recently becoming a great grandfather to his “favorite little guy.”

Survivors include his wife, Margie; son Jodi (Stacy) Rud of Caledonia; grandchildren, Vanessa (Nick) Rogich of Hokah, Minn., Hunter (Megan) Rud of Caledonia; sister-in-laws Sally Nelson, Marlene Mattson, and Bev Rud; great grandchild, Ivan Rogich. Snookie was preceded in death by his parents, Elmer, Sr., and Elsie Rud; brothers Elmer “Sonny”, Earl (Violet), Willie, Eddie, Lavern (Rosemary), and Orvie; sisters, Rosie (Earling), Dorothy (Gene), Shirley (Deke), and Bernice (Jake Diersen and John Carlon), brothers-in-law David Nelson,  LeRoy Mattson, and Lyle (Marie) Klinski; and father-in-law and mother-in-law, Reinhold and Minnie Klinski.

We would like to thank Pastor Wolff for his visits and Emplify Health Hospice for their support, especially Suzy Kittleson and Jeanette Moyer. Funeral services will be Tuesday, April 1, 2025 at St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, 650 N. Kingston St., Caledonia. Visitation will begin at 11 am with funeral services beginning at 1 pm. Burial will be in Evergreen Cemetery.

Expressions of sympathy may be offered on this site.