Rudy Nutz

    Rudy Nutz, age 88, most recently of Ventura, formerly of Klemme, Iowa, died, Monday, Jan. 5, 2015, at his home in Ventura. 

Funeral services were held on Friday, Jan. 9, 2015, at the Klemme United Methodist Church, Klemme.  Burial was in the Ell Township Cemetery, Klemme. Memorials are suggested to the Opportunity Village, in Clear Lake, in care of Rudy Nutz.  The family also suggests those wishing to express their sympathies through a floral offering to consider sending a plant.  

    Rudy Nutz, the son for Frank “Fred” and Marie Hirschberg, was born April 10, 1926, at For Dodge, Iowa. In his early childhood his family moved back to their roots in Czechoslovakia where they farmed for a time.  They eventually made their way back to the U.S. on a ship before World War II and all the political strife exploded.  Rudy was united in marriage to Barbara Rae Shoop in August 1955, in Omaha, Neb.  Their union was blessed with a daughter, Cris, and sons, Tom, Tim, and Ted.  Rudy and Barbara were eventually divorced.  Barb died on April 6, 2005.

    The family farmed for awhile in the Gowrie, Iowa, area.  Rudy had farmed around Klemme, as well.  They also had spent a number of years farming and residing in the Racine, Minn., region until 1970, when they moved back to Hayfield, Iowa, and then later to Klemme.  Rudy was a farmer through and through, loving every minute of his vocation.  He was very much at home on a tractor working the earth, or in the dairy barn milking the herd, or tending to his hogs.  Even in the years following his retirement he continued to remain active by helping area farmers. Rudy had worked with Red Sheriff in Goodell, Iowa, and Ransom and Peters Family farms in the Clear Lake/Ventura area for many years even into his early to mid 80’s.

     After they moved from Hayfield to Klemme, Rudy was employed at Winnebego Industries, drove truck for Umthum Trucking and for many years he enjoyed working for Cerro Gordo County, mowing ditches, and maintaining various lands, such as the properties at Lime Creek Nature Center in Mason City.

     Following his divorce from Barbara, Rudy and Corrine “Corky” Winders developed a companionship that has lasted more than 30 years, most of which they have spent residing at their home in Ventura. Rudy and Corky enjoyed each others company and sharing in the lives of one another’s family.  The two looked forward to traveling to Toledo, Iowa, and many other places for polka dances, polka fests, square dances, and Bohemian and Czech Festivals.  They enjoyed simple times together watching Rudy’s favorite television shows, such as Wheel of Fortune, Dr. Phil, and murder trials, such as the O.J. Trial.  Rudy was full of wit and humor and shared this special gift with his family, friends, and co-workers.  Another unique past time Rudy shared with many car dealers throughout the years was spending a few hours or days working them for their best deal and then moving on to the next.  He enjoyed eating out and especially if it was a trip to Perkins for his favorite pancakes.  Rudy collected hats and tractors, and over the years he enjoyed riding motorcycles.  In later years, even up to the day before he died, he loved to spend time working in the yard mowing grass and blowing the snow in the winters.  Those who had the privilege of crossing in Rudy’s life journey will reflect fondly on his love for his family and friends, passion for life on the farm, strong and sometimes stubborn German personality, sense of humor and quick wit, and love for all life had to offer.

     Those left to cherish his memory include his long time partner and companion, Corrine “Corky” Winders, Ventura; brother, Joe (Theresa) Nutz, Raceland, Ky.; a daughter, Cris (Terry) Donovan, Omaha, Neb., and their son, Tom (Mandy) Rosseau and their kids, Mia, Ty, Hudson, and Destiny; and Rudy’s son, Tom Nutz, Denver, and his daughter,  Tara (Lloyd) McFarland and his son, Travis Nutz, and his daughter, Kia and her kids, Connor, Camilla, and Carly;  Rudy’s son, Tim (Jean) Nutz, Chattanooga, Tenn., and their children, Jeremy (companion, Jason) Nutz  and Jason (Meg) Nutz and their daughter, Karley; Rudy’s son, Ted (Deborah) Nutz, Lexington, S.C., and their children, Katrina (Wayne) Siron and their family, Gabriel, Norah, and Theo; and their daughter, Chantelle (Jon) Moore and their son, Scott and they were anxiously awaiting the arrival of another child, James Arthur Moore.

      Rudy was preceded in death by his father, Frank, in 1941; mother, Marie, in 1989; a sister, Helen Lafollette; a brother, Frank Nutz; and two great children, Alicia and Andrew.

      Andrews Funeral Home, Klemme, was in charge of arrangements.