Rudolph "Rudy" Tuorila

Rudolph John Tuorila passed away on Dec.10, 2014, at Villa Maria Nursing Home in Fargo, ND., at the age of 91 years, 10 months, and 21 days. Rudy was born January 19th, 1923 to Charles and Alina (Nikkari) Tuorila, on the family farm in Blowers Township, near Sebeka and Wadena, MN. He married Mary Ann Schmitz in 1942. They had a son, Larry, before later divorcing. Rudy served in the United States Army from 1944-1946, including wartime deployment to the European Theater in Italy. He later proudly became a lifetime member of the VFW. After his discharge from the army, Rudy moved to the Iron Range of Minnesota and in 1947, married Ruby Straka Luke, a widow with two daughters, in Nashwauk, MN. Their 54-year marriage was blessed by the births of two additional sons, John and James. Ruby and Rudy lived and raised their blended family in Calumet, MN, until Ruby passed away in 2001. During their married life, Mom and Dad enjoyed traveling, dancing, camping, fishing, making pasties, and ensuring things went well with their entire family. Rudy worked for U.S. Steel Iron Ore Mining Company as a maintenance mechanic and spare foreman, retiring in 1982. We’ve heard it said by many of Dad’s fellow workers that you’d never find a more dedicated employee or a better, fairer boss than our father…high praise, indeed!

After our mother passed away, Dad married once again, this time to Oriette Holmen Kickertz on August 1, 2003, in Fargo, ND. They resided on the north side of Fargo and attended Edgewood United Methodist Church, until its closure. For five years, the two of them enjoyed traveling and visiting with friends and relatives, many times transporting others who were without spouses. Dad often drove a van full of ladies to a music show or church function, and enjoyed every minute. When their ability to keep up a home by themselves faltered, they made the decision to move to the Edgewood Vista community in south Fargo. Playing pool and tossing bean bags with his numerous pals became the highlights of Rudy’s days at Edgewood Vista. Whenever the Minnesota Twins were lucky enough to win a game, he was an especially happy man! Until the age of 90, Dad would make the drive into Minnesota every summer and fall to join his sons Jim and John for fishing and hunting trips, chasing wily walleyes and whitetails, both in Minnesota and Canada. Success happened frequently but when it didn’t, Dad still had a grin on his face from having enjoyed the call of the wild, once again. A severe stroke in August of 2013 resulted in Dad becoming a full-time resident of Villa Maria in Fargo. Recovering sufficiently from his stroke to stay mobile, Dad became a symbol of determination for everyone at Villa Maria. However, due to her continuing health issues, Oriette soon followed Dad to nursing home care and the Villa became their final home together, sharing a room.

Rudy is survived by his wife, Oriette, of Fargo; sons Larry (Pat), Ravenel, SC, John (Jill), Calumet, MN, and James (Diane), St. Cloud, MN; daughters Becky (Jim) Stoll, Fernley, NV, Bonnie (Steve) Todee, Brenham, TX; step-son Robert (Donna) Holmen, Kenosha, WI; step-daughter Mary (Kim) Stokes, Horace, ND, and 9 grandchildren, 5 step-grandchildren, numerous great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren. Rudy was preceded in death by his parents, all five sisters, all four brothers, and an infant daughter.

To the very end, Dad enjoyed any Bobby Aro song, an occasional little bump of Yukon Jack with some venison or smoked fish, reminiscing about the past, and making sure everything was okay for Oriette. He was the consummate caregiver and now we, his family, thank the entire staff of both Villa Maria and Hospice of the Red River Valley for the care they gave our father as his full and rewarding life here on earth came to a close. In lieu of flowers, our family would prefer that memorials in Dad’s name be given to either of these two fine organizations.

As Dad would say in Finn as we left his room or hung up the phone after a conversation – nakemiin! (good bye).