Murlyn Pudas

Pudas, Murlyn A., 82, of Sebeka, Mn. and formerly of Wadena, passed away unexpectedly on Sunday morning, October 19, 2008 while at Centra Care in St. Cloud MN. Loved by family, he will be missed by many. Visitation is Wednesday, Oct 22 at Johnson Funeral Home in Wadena from 4-8PM with a Celebration and Remembrance service at 7PM. Funeral services will be Thursday, Oct 23 at 11:00 AM at St. John's Lutheran Church in Wadena. He will be buried in Wadena Cemetery. Murlyn was born Dec. 1, 1925 in Sebeka, to parents Arthur and Ellen Pudas. He is preceded in death by his mother in 1932 and his father and stepmother Bertha; 1st wife Lorraine in 1974; grandson Ethan; and stepson Warren. He is survived by his wife Ruth, his steady partner since their marriage June 11, 1977; children: Richard (Nancy) Pudas of Eden Prairie; Ranaye (Dick) Kluenenberg of Barnum; Randy (Mary) Pudas of Menagha; Rhonda (Tom) Ellenbecker of St. Joseph; Russell (Kerry) Pudas of St. Cloud, Robert (Char) Pudas of St. Cloud; and stepdaughter Nancy Peterson of Denver; brothers Franklin (Marit) Pudas of Sioux Falls and David (Ann) Pudas of Brooklyn Park; sisters Violet (Russell) Johnson of International Falls and Sharon (Phil) Rabon of Williston; 25 grandchildren and 3 step grandchildren; 16 great grandchildren and 3 great step grandchildren. Murlyn graduated from Sebeka H.S. in 1943 and served as a combatant in the Pacific theater of WWII with G-2-5, 1st Division, USMC and received the purple heart. He and wife Ruth faithfully attended G-2-5 reunions over the years, and he will be sorely missed by his brothers-in-arms. He worked as a clerk for Great Northern Railroad and later at the U.S. Post Office in Wadena before his health forced his retirement. He was also self employed with a carpet cleaning business. He has been a long standing member of St. John Lutheran Church in Wadena and earlier at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Bertha where his beautiful baritone voice was heard for more than sixty years in church choirs and in solos at weddings. He was a member of VFW, American Legion, and Disabled American Vets. Murlyn loved music and the arts. He participated in the Northern Lights Chorale in recent years, and his latent talent for woodcarving earned him a reputation locally and abroad. Many of his carvings are cherished by children and adults, and he was busy carving pieces for the Wadena Arts and Crafts Show just days before his death. Mostly though, Murlyn was interested in people and sharing his life with others. In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred to Marine Company Scholarship Fund or a charity of your choosing in his memory.

Murlyn Pudas

December 1, 1925 - October 19, 2008