Rudy Kunde, lifelong member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Hammond and Munster, Indiana, passed away at the age of 95, on June 7, 2025. Uncle Rudy’s loving family includes nephews Phil Brueggemann (Tucson, AZ) and Mark (Karen) Brueggemann of Grafton, WI; two grand-nieces Alison (Nathan) Pipkorn and Katie (Mitch) Dickison and a great-grand nieceContinue Reading
Rudy Kunde, lifelong member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Hammond and Munster,
Indiana, passed away at the age of 95, on June 7, 2025. Uncle Rudy’s loving family
includes nephews Phil Brueggemann (Tucson, AZ) and Mark (Karen) Brueggemann
of Grafton, WI; two grand-nieces Alison (Nathan) Pipkorn and Katie (Mitch) Dickison
and a great-grand niece Elena and great-grand nephew Wyatt. Rudy was preceded
in death by his sister Betty (Wallace) Brueggemann.
Funeral service will be held at St. Paul Lutheran, Munster on Wednesday, June 18
with visitation starting at 10:00 AM and service at 12:00. Internment follows at
Concordia Cemetery, Hammond. The family suggests that memorials be given to St.
Paul Munster Lutheran Church and School for ministry focused endowment.
Rudy graduated a proud Hammond High Wildcat in 1947. Soon after, he joined
General American Tank Car (GATX) where he spent his entire career in customer
support and sales. He was “Service Driven” and developed hundreds of close
customer and coworker relationships over the years, with many stories to match. In
1985 he was the first recipient of the GATX Employee of the Year Award. He retired
in 1990.
His joy while working for GATX paled in comparison to the level of satisfaction and
love he felt for his church. Beginning early on, Rudy was the head of the Walther
League for close to 20 years. He is best known as the church’s head usher. Rudy
enjoyed mentoring the young men of the congregation to serve on the ushering
staff. Every Sunday, for over 70 years, you could expect to be greeted by Rudy at
the back of church. He ushered with leadership, often in multiple services each
weekend. Leading the usher staff was his purpose, not simply a volunteer position.
Rudy also served on the Board of Trustees and as President of Concordia Cemetery
for many years.
Rudy’s father Otto died while he was in High School, so he became a committed son
to Elizabeth until she passed in 1996. Rudy offered the support his mother needed
in exchange for good cooking and timely motherly advice.
Rudy lived a full and faithful life. He touched many lives and shared countless
laughs. Rudy maintained that Kunde charm even during the last couple of years
while in assisted living. Faithful until the end, as he once told one of his nurses, “My
faith is in Jesus, without Him I am nothing”.
Brad Rathert
left a message on July 1, 2025:
Rudy (and his mother) were two, true beloved members of the St. Paul's Lutheran family. They were our next door neighbors for a long time, and were great people to know. Rudy taught me how to ride a bike, and then when I entered high school, he taught me how to usher for our church services. Let me say there will never be another Rudy Kunde at St. Paul's Lutheran Church. Rudy will be missed by many in our region, and at St. Paul's.
Scott Bruick
left a message on June 17, 2025:
God blessed so many individuals through the servant heart of Rudy and I am one of those blessed recipients. I served as one of Rudy's pastors at St. Paul's from 1998-2003. On my last Sunday serving there, Rudy shared, "In a few weeks, we will put a closing date after your name, reminding us that you served here for a few years. A few months from now, we will start to forget your name. However, if any of us forget Jesus as our Savior, then Pastor, you didn't do your job!" That has been a constant reminder of what we are called to do - to point others to the hope that we have in Jesus Christ as our Savior!
Pick Heaters, Inc.
left a message on June 16, 2025:
Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Lily and Rose Tribute Spray was purchased for the family of Rudolph Kunde by Pick Heaters, Inc.. Send Flowers
David and Diane Schmueser
left a message on June 16, 2025:
Our heartfelt condolences to the extended family of Rudy Kunde, a dear friend for over 50 years.
A memorial tree was planted in memory of Rudolph Kunde . Plant a Tree
Stephen Hallman
left a message on June 15, 2025:
Rest in peace Rudy. Say hello to Dad.
Peace of mind is a call away. We’re here when you need us most.
Hank Bachmann
left a message on June 14, 2025:
We were so blessed to have had Rudy in our lives for so long.. He even came to our 59th reunion. I’ve been missing him. He was such a powerful influence in my life.
David W Schmueser
left a message on June 14, 2025:
David & Diane Schmueser
Our heartfelt condolences to Rudy's extended family. We have been friends for over 60 years. He will be greatly missed.
Lisa Clark
left a message on June 13, 2025:
Our condolences. So wonderful the way he deeply cared for and shepherded the young men of St. Paul's as ushers, my son being one of them. May he rest in peace.
Johnny and Linda Hamel
left a message on June 12, 2025:
We extend our Deepest Sympathy to Rudy's extended family. We have known him for a long time. He will truly missed by is church family.
Art Euler
left a message on June 12, 2025:
Friends for over 70 years. The world lost a good one last Saturday.
left a message:
Please accept our deepest condolences for your family's loss.
Show More
×
Your condolence may need to be approved before it appears on this page. It may not appear immediately once submitted.
Brad Rathert
left a message on July 1, 2025:
Rudy (and his mother) were two, true beloved members of the St. Paul's Lutheran family. They were our next door neighbors for a long time, and were great people to know. Rudy taught me how to ride a bike, and then when I entered high school, he taught me how to usher for our church services. Let me say there will never be another Rudy Kunde at St. Paul's Lutheran Church. Rudy will be missed by many in our region, and at St. Paul's.
Scott Bruick
left a message on June 17, 2025:
God blessed so many individuals through the servant heart of Rudy and I am one of those blessed recipients. I served as one of Rudy's pastors at St. Paul's from 1998-2003. On my last Sunday serving there, Rudy shared, "In a few weeks, we will put a closing date after your name, reminding us that you served here for a few years. A few months from now, we will start to forget your name. However, if any of us forget Jesus as our Savior, then Pastor, you didn't do your job!" That has been a constant reminder of what we are called to do - to point others to the hope that we have in Jesus Christ as our Savior!
Pick Heaters, Inc.
left a message on June 16, 2025:
Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Lily and Rose Tribute Spray was purchased for the family of Rudolph Kunde by Pick Heaters, Inc.. Send Flowers
David and Diane Schmueser
left a message on June 16, 2025:
Our heartfelt condolences to the extended family of Rudy Kunde, a dear friend for over 50 years.
A memorial tree was planted in memory of Rudolph Kunde . Plant a Tree
Stephen Hallman
left a message on June 15, 2025:
Rest in peace Rudy. Say hello to Dad.
Peace of mind is a call away. We’re here when you need us most.
Hank Bachmann
left a message on June 14, 2025:
We were so blessed to have had Rudy in our lives for so long.. He even came to our 59th reunion. I’ve been missing him. He was such a powerful influence in my life.
David W Schmueser
left a message on June 14, 2025:
David & Diane Schmueser
Our heartfelt condolences to Rudy's extended family. We have been friends for over 60 years. He will be greatly missed.
Lisa Clark
left a message on June 13, 2025:
Our condolences. So wonderful the way he deeply cared for and shepherded the young men of St. Paul's as ushers, my son being one of them. May he rest in peace.
Johnny and Linda Hamel
left a message on June 12, 2025:
We extend our Deepest Sympathy to Rudy's extended family. We have known him for a long time. He will truly missed by is church family.
Art Euler
left a message on June 12, 2025:
Friends for over 70 years. The world lost a good one last Saturday.
left a message:
Please accept our deepest condolences for your family's loss.
×
Your condolence may need to be approved before it appears on this page. It may not appear immediately once submitted.
Thank you for leaving a condolence.
Your comment has been submitted for moderation.