Obituary of Jerome Rudolph

IN LOVING MEMORY OF JEROME "RUDY" RUDOLPH W. Jerome "Rudy" Rudolph, son of Floyd and Freda (Lehman) Rudolph, was born January 3, 1933, in Smith Center, Kansas, and went to be with his heavenly father on April 13, 2020, at the Bertrand Nursing and Assisted Living Facility in Bertrand, Nebraska, at the age of 87. Jerome grew up in Smith County and graduated from high school. He also served his country as a Corporal in the U.S. Army. On October 25, 1959, Jerome and Leeta Lou Sears were united in marriage in Norton, Kansas. They were blessed with 10 children. They made their home in Norton until 1970, when they moved their family to Calvert. Jerome was a mason by trade for 50 years and his exceptional work can be seen all over the area. He took great pride in his work, much of which is in and on homes in the Norton area. Jerome was a member of the Crossroads Church (formerly Full Gospel Community Church) in Norton. Jerome was very active in the church where he served as Deacon/Elder, song leader, and taught Sunday School for many years. He was also known to fill in for the pastor on occasion. He deeply loved God and his family. Jerome was also a member of the Gideon's and the Bricklayers Union. Jerome was an avid hunter. Nothing made him happier than to go hunting with his brothers and sons. He also loved watching sports on TV and going to see his grandchildren's games. Survivors include: his 10 children, JoAnn (Wayne) Rupke, Prairie View, Kansas; Gene (Bill) Blair, Salina, Kansas; Erika (Marty) Borquez, Brighton, Colorado; Claudette (Leo) Graham, Long Island, Kansas; Kerry (Bev) Rudolph, Prairie View, Kansas; Jane (Chris) Noel, Norton, Kansas; Jeff (Charlene) Rudolph, Colorado Springs, Colorado; Dena (Mark) Estes, Glendale, Oregon; Donna Jones, Lenexa, Kansas; and Danice (Brett) Hinson, Bertrand, Nebraska; two brothers, Larry (Willa) Rudolph, Arkansas City, Kansas; and Kelly Rudolph, Salina, Kansas; one brother-in-law, Keith (Betty) Sears, Smith Center, Kansas; one sister, Colleen Ryan, Smith Center, Kansas; three sisters-in-law, Shirley Rudolph, Mankato, Kansas; Pam Rudolph, Troy, Illinois; and Melba Lister, Beloit, Kansas; 27 grandchildren and 32 great-grandchildren; many cousins, nieces, nephews and friends. Jerome was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Leeta, of 46 years, two brothers, Billy and Floyd, Jr., two sisters, Donna Rudolph and Phyllis Bargman, two brothers-in-law, Fredrick Bargman and Bill Ryan, one sister-in-law, Connie Rudolph, and two sons-in-law, Barry Jones and Tony Shocinski, and numerous siblings of his wife. Burial will take place in the Cedar Cemetery in Cedar, Kansas, and a celebration of his life will be held at a later date at the Crossroads Church in Norton, Kansas. A memorial has been established to the Jerome Rudolph Memorial Fund. Arrangements are with the Enfield Funeral Home in Norton, and condolences may be sent to www.enfieldfh.com Private family services will be held at a later date.