Paul Curtis RUDIGER

                   OBITUARY, and In Memory of Donald H. Rudiger, died 11 Jun 1994.

Don was the youngest of ten children, to Paul and Minerva Rudiger at Memphis, Nebraska.  They lived on farm where Don first went to District 3 school and later in Ashland.  He came to Omaha for his senior year at Omaha Tech High School, graduating in 1941.  He lived first with a sister then a brother, who were living in Omaha.  At Omaha Tech he took trade courses and worked half days at Harland Truck and Repair.

He enlisted in the U.S> Army Air Corps in 1942 and after basic training was in the Engineer Corps, performing maintenance on all support equipment.  Don first served in England; was part of the Normandy Invasion force at Omaha Beach on D-Day, and then served in France and Germany untill he was discharged in 1945 at the end of World War II.

Don returned to his old job of mechanic at Harland's after the war, and started dating Edna, the boss's daughter, who had also graduated from Omaha Tech in 1942 and was her dad's bookkeeper.  Don and Edna were married March 17, 1946 at Kountz Memorial Luthern Church and moved into their apartment at 21st and Binney.  Geraldine (Gerry) was born in 1946 and Donald II (Don) in 1948.

They bought a lot on the corner of 40th and Pratt and began building their house in 1948, moving into it in September 1949.  Rick was born in1952.  All the children were baptized at Kountz Memorial, and the family joined American Luthern Church in 1959.

Don and Edna's brother, Earl took over the business in 1961 and in 1965 moved it from the original location at 27th and Cumings to 61st and Grover.  In 1969 Don bought out Earl's share and became sole owner. Over the years the business has evolved from when Edna's father began as Harland Auto Body and Truck Repair, to building and mounting truck bodies; then the emphasis on all phases of truck hydraulics; to presently the manufacture, sales and repair of truck bodies and hydraulics.  It was truly a "partnership", as over these years, Edna continued to be the business's bookkeeper.  Don and Edna "retred"in 1991, truning the business oer to Don and Rick, who are now the family's third generation to run and carry on Harland Truck and Equipment Sales.

Don's "walk with God" began long years ago at the Batismal font at Iliff Chapel United Methodist Church in Memphis wher he was baptized "in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit".  When the children were growing up, he was active in the Boy Scouts as an advisor, leader and Scoutmaster.  He served several times on the Chuch Council at American Luthern; and leaves the legacy of one of his hobbies woodworking - the candlestands which attach to the pews for candlelight services & weddngs; the two flower stands beside the alter; cabinents for the organ speakers and the valences above the coutyard sanctuary windows; as well as the candelabra for the Iliff Chapel Methodist Church in Memphis.  He loved to cook, especially grilling/barbecuing; was Chairman of our Followship Committeand was head cook for Easter brealfasts and the Church picnics.

In 1985 Don suffered a severe heart attach, necessitating bypass surgery.  Following recuperation his heath was quite good untill the progression of emphysema the last two years. The last wek he contracted virulent pneumonia infection which also affected the bood and died at the Methodist Hospital on June 11, 1994.

Don is survived by his wife, Edna; Geraldine Worden; sons and daughter-in-laws Don H. & Sharon Rudiger, Rick C. and Patricia Rudiger; grandchildren Dan & Mickie Rudiger, Rick & Josie Worden, Dave Worden & fiancee Chris Babic, Barbara Worden, Justin, Chad, Chrystal, Clinton, and Stephanie Rudiger; sister Evelyn Tomanio of Omaha and brother Jim Rudiger of Sterling, Illionis; other reatives and friends.