Rudy was born on December 4, 1935, in Marjanowka, Poland. He was the youngest son of Heinrich and Lydia Hanelt. Rudy's father and two brothers, Ernest and Gustav, died during the Second World War. Lydia and her four sons, Emil, Karl, Wilhelm, and Rudy came to Canada in 1949 to settle in the Benson area. Rudy farmed with his brothers until his stroke in 2002. Emil had passed away in 1983. Rudy, Karl and Willie continued their mixed farming, raising cattle and grain crops. Rudy enjoyed curling during the winter months, visiting neighbours and "coffee row" at Lionel LeClairs. He also enjoyed getting together with friends in the fall for the deer hunting season and making deer sausage with the neighbours. In 1979 Rudy and Emil bought the Victor Stapleton farm and that summer Rudy married Joan Allen. Rudy's health slowly deteriorated in the St. Joseph's Hospital in Estevan, then moving to the Weyburn Special Care Home and back to Estevan living in the St. Joseph's Special Care Home until his passing on Friday, July 11. Rudy was predeceased by his parents, Heinrich and Lydia, and brothers, Ernest, Gustav, Emil and Karl. He is survived by his brother, Wilhelm and by his wife, Joan, several cousins and his father in law, Dean Allen. A Memorial Service took place on Friday, July 18, at Trinity Lutheran Church, Estevan, at 2:00 p.m. with Rev. Daniel Krauss officiating. Interment followed in the Woodley Cromar Cemetery. Those so wishing may make donations to the New Estevan Regional Nursing Home or the Creighton Lodge Resident Fund - Resident Council, in Rudy's memory. Funeral arrangements were entrusted to Hall Funeral Services, Estevan. The family wish to thank Dr. Tsoi and Dr. Fong as well as the Nursing staff in St. Joseph's Hospital and in St. Joseph's Special Care Home and the staff in the Weyburn Special Care Home. Also, thanks to the friends who visited Rudy during the past three years. A special thanks to the friends who sat with Rudy during the last few days before his passing. Thank you to Pastor Danny and the Faith Lutheran Ladies for lunch and to family and friends for support at this time.
