Odell Rude

Odell Rude, age 93, of Granite Falls, Minnesota passed away on Tuesday, April 29, 2025, at the Avera Granite Falls Care Center. Funeral Service will be held Friday, May 9, 2025, at 11:00 AM with lunch following, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Granite Falls. Burial will follow in the Granite Falls City Cemetery. Visitation will be 10:00 – 11:00 AM one hour prior to the service at the church.

Odell Henry Rude was born on December 30, 1931, in Granite Falls, Minnesota, the son of Henry and Olive (Benning) Rude. He was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith. Odell attended grade school in Sacred Heart before transferring to Granite Falls where he graduated in 1949. After graduation, Odell served his country in the United States Navy Reserves for seven years where he learned airline mechanics.

Odell was united in marriage to Carol Podoll on September 22, 1956, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Granite Falls, Minnesota. The couple made their home, built by Odell with the help of friends, in Granite Falls and were blessed with five children, Tamara, Constance, Brenda, Douglas and Daniel.

Odell began working at the NSP plant in Granite Falls first as a construction worker and worked his way up, retiring in 1991 as a plant Superintendent. Even though he retired, he didn’t stop. Both Odell and Carol managed the Granite Falls golf course for a couple of seasons and Odell kept busy giving golf lessons and making custom clubs for other golf enthusiasts. He was very active on the city council and was instrumental in the conception and building of the Kilowatt Center.

Odell was invested in his faith, family and community. His unconditional support for his children and grandchildren will never be forgotten, along with his tender heart which his family witnessed often. Odell loved to golf and enjoyed fishing at the family lake cabin. He was also known to go hunting in his younger years to spend time with his father-in-law Orwell Podoll. He enjoyed wood working and created many different items through the years, from bird feeders and bird houses to clocks, benches and planters.

Odell is survived by his wife of 68 years, Carol Rude; children, Tammy (Tom) Edman of Granite Falls, Connie (Bill) Wussow of Sioux Falls, SD, Brenda (significant other, Stephen Dubois) Growe of Glenwood; Doug (Connie) Rude of White Bear Lake, Daniel (Nicole) Rude of Eden Prairie; grandchildren, Joseph (Heather) Anderson, Christopher Anderson, Matthew (Heidi) Wussow, Melissa (Ron) Hayek, Dylan Growe, Holly (significant other, Anthony Marusak) Growe, Kayla (Evan) Beranek; great grandchildren Hudson and Lennon Anderson, Melena Anderson, Rowan Wussow, Elsie Marusak, Barrett, Beckham, Briggs, and Blaire Beranek; sister, Zelda Sund of Fergus Falls; Sister-in-law, Kathy Larson of Apple Valley; as well as other relatives and friends.

Odell is preceded in death by his parents; grandson Nicholas Rude, great-granddaughter Olivia Hayek, brothers and sisters-in-law, Dale Larson, David Sund, Marcine Nephew, Janice (Dave) Pederson.