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Jerald “Bud” M. Spidahl

Spidahl

MADELIA — Jerald “Bud” M. Spidahl Sr., age 84 of Madelia died Sunday, Dec. 25, 2016 at the Madelia Community Hospital in Madelia.

Mass of Christian burial will be 11 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 31 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Madelia. Father Timothy Hall will celebrate the Mass, and a family committal service will happen on June 21, 2017 at the Calvary Catholic Cemetery in Madelia.

Visitation will be from 9 to 11 a.m. on Saturday at the church in Madelia.  Arrangements arewith the Minnesota Valley Funeral Home of New Ulm.

To leave an online condolence for his family, or to sign the guestbook, go to www.mvfh.org

Bud is survived by his daughters, Deb (Eugene) Rusten of Madelia, Patty (Dick) Dahl of Loveland, Colorado, Diana Spidahl of Madelia, Margie (Nick) Wooten of St. James, Brenda (Brian Wiita) Spidahl of Coon Rapids; sons, Jerald (Betty) Spidahl Jr. of Lewisville, Richard Spidahl of Madelia, Ron Spidahl of Madelia; 25 grandchildren; 34 great-grandchildren; foster daughters, Lori (Mike) Helder of Lake Crystal, Lisa Hines of Virginia; sisters, Millie Lang of Truman, Eileen (Howard) Abel of Welcome, Alice (Don) Evenhus of Wenatchee, Washington, Marlis (George) Decoteau of Rolla, North Dakota, Donna (Dennis) Wolle of St. Joseph, Berdell (Sal) Rathman of St. James; and brothers, Donald (sp. friend Bonnie) Spidahl of Truman, and Merlin (Jane) Spidahl of Truman.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Juliana in 2014; sister, Lillian Evenhus; step-son, Wesley McLean; and three infant siblings.

Jerald “Bud” Mandley Spidahl was born June 17, 1932 in Baker, North Dakota to Melrin and Inga (Bjerke) Spidahl. Bud served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War from 1950-1953. He was first stationed in Washington with the 513 Triple A Gun Battalion and was later deployed to Korea where Bud bravely served on the front lines with the 40th Division as a Medic.  As a Medic, it was his duty to cross the 38th Parallel and bring the wounded back to their first aid station. After his time in the service Bud moved back to North Dakota where he met his soon to be wife Juliana Kraft at a house party where she played accordion, and he played guitar. He knew right away that day that she was “the one.” On June 21, 1954, Bud was united in marriage to Juliana at St. Michael’s Indian Mission Church in North Dakota. Together, the couple raised their 11 children between North Dakota and Minnesota. Early in his career, Bud worked as a mechanic for the Ford Garage in Devil’s Lake, North Dakota and later Ferges Ford in Olivia. Bud moved the family to Madelia in the late 60’s where he then worked as a farmer for numerous area farm families.  Bud finished his career working his last 18 years as a maintenance engineer at the Madelia Hospital until his retirement in 1997. Besides his work, Bud had a variety of other passions that brought him joy in life; most of which included music. From his youth on, Bud had tremendous musical talent. Besides being able to play nearly any string instrument, Bud self-taught himself how to play the piano, harmonica, and accordion. Many entertaining nights were spent playing with his family country western band, “Bud, and the Storm Kings.” Bud also appreciated the outdoors. He could find happiness out fishing on any lake, or simply mowing his own lawn. What brought Bud the greatest enjoyment in life was spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He took tremendous pride in each and every one of them, and took the greatest pride in knowing that he was able to pass his musical gifts on to so many. Bud was a lifetime member of the Madelia VFW, the Madelia American Legion, DAV, and past president of Southern Minnesota Hospital Engineers.  Bud was also a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Madelia. Blessed be his memory.

www.mvfh.org

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