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Rudy Stoppelmoor

Lowell Rudolf “Rudy” Stoppelmoor, age 80 of Roberts, passed away Sunday, January 6, 2019, surrounded by family. He was born on January 26, 1938 to Rudolf and Grace (Busma) Stoppelmoor in Butler County, Iowa. He grew up and graduated from high school in New Hartford, Iowa. In his youth Lowell worked hard on his parents farm, and enjoyed playing baseball and basketball. On June 21, 1957 he married Darla Schake in Waterloo, Iowa and they would go on to be married for 57 years. Together they shared three children; Kimberly, Larry and Sheila. He worked in multiple industries until he found his true calling on the open road. Rudy drove truck for Walnut Dairy, Briggs, Consolidated Freightways, and Autumn. Throughout most of his life Rudy was a river rat and loved boating and water skiing on the mighty Mississippi at their cabin in Guttenberg, Iowa. In 1978, Rudy and Darla moved the family to Western Wisconsin for a new adventure. In their later years, they enjoyed travelling, especially to their favorite spot in Alamo, Texas, where they spent their winters for 23 years. Rudy enjoyed being active, walking, going to and watching auctions, watching baseball, cheering on the Iowa Hawkeyes, and enjoying a good piece of chocolate or a donut.

Rudy was a one of a kind husband, dad and grandpa with an unrepeatable character/personality. Always ready to give someone a hard time or prepared with a sarcastic comment or comeback. He specialized in storytelling and loved spending time talking with family and friends over coffee and cookies or a cigarette. Rudy was a walking road map and had the unbelievable ability to give directions to anywhere you needed to go. He always seemed to gravitate to the warmth and the sun and more often than not was sporting cut off jean shorts, a hat and a golden tan. He created countless memories with each of his children and grandchildren that will be cherished forever and his unique presence will be greatly missed.

Rudy was preceded in death by his wife, Darla; his grandson, Eric Schares; his parents, Rudolf and Grace Stoppelmoor; his sister, Evelyn Weber; and his brother, Merle Stoppelmoor. He is survived by his three children, Kimberly (John) Highsmith of Lindstrom MN, Larry (Jennifer) Stoppelmoor of Turtle Lake WI, and Sheila (Christopher) Rohl of Roberts WI; twelve grandchildren: Melissa, Jacob, Dustin, Michael, Sarah (Nic), Samantha (Adam), Gabriel (Lisa), Nicholas, Natalie (Kyle), Corey, Kayla, and Amanda; twelve great-grandchildren, Desirae, Ella, Jack, Ruby, Brody, Hailey, Sydney, Cora, Gabrielle, Payton, Kendall, and Kensley; sister, Sharon (George) Kozjak; sisters-in-law, Nancy Jo Stoppelmoor, Marlyn Subra, and Deloris Schake Halle; brother-in-law, Dale (Dona) Schake; as well as many nieces, nephews and other relatives.

A Memorial Service celebrating the life of Rudy Stoppelmoor will be held at 11:00am on Saturday, January 12th at the First Congregational United Church of Christ, 110 N. 3rd Street in River Falls, with Pastor Chris Myers officiating. Visitation will be held 1 hour prior to services at the church. Memorials may be given to the church. Services have been entrusted to the O’Connell-Benedict Family Funeral Home of River Falls, WI. 715-425-5644

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