Fredrick, Ralph "Rudy"

RALPH "RUDY" FREDRICK, beloved husband of Edith of Raymond, passed away peacefully on Sunday, May 24, 2020 at the age of 87 years. 

Rudy was born June 11, 1932. He was the second born son to Rosalia Anne (née Balog) and Henry William Friedrich. Rudy was an incredibly strong man; a man of few words, an avid reader, a hard worker, a loving husband and a dedicated father. His joie de vivre was contagious and he will be greatly missed as well as his sense of humor.   Those few words to his children were "yup," "nope," or "go ask your Mom."

Ralph married Edith (née Henline) on March 26, 1960.  Mom and Dad just celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary. Together they had Yvonne (Randy) of Calgary, Wendy of Lethbridge, and Ron aka Ralph Jr. (Sandra) of Lethbridge.

Although being a man of few words, Rudy made many enduring friendships. Being a friend i.e. longstanding or newly formed didn't matter to him, you were a friend. In fact, after one health episode, Rudy became a man of a few more words.

Rudy was an avid horseman, the original "horse whisperer" before the term was known. Dad also loved participating in the many Southern Albertan town parades. As one of his uncles was the parade marshal for Bonanza Days for many years, Dad eagerly participated in these and other parades and took home many a trophy or a ribbon, or both.

Rudy took on several roles throughout the years and one thing is for sure, he never shied away from a job. He once said, if he didn't know to do the job before he started, then he would just figure it out and get it done.

Rudy was predeceased by his father in 1967, mother in 1972 and brothers Lloyd (2010) and Norman (2017); nephews Lane (1995) and Justin (1994), niece Tanya (2004) and a very special aunt from Milk River "Aunt Lizzie" (1982); sister-in-law Sharon (2015) and brothers-in-law Alec Szentes (2016) and Harm Vander Hulst (2018).

Rudy is survived by his siblings: Melford (Emma); Bill; Verl (Donna); Selby (Sylvia); Lesley (Doug MacDonald); Teresa Szentes; Lorne (Shannon); Jamie; Carol Vander Hulst; Debbie (Dennis Selk) as well as numerous nephews and nieces, not to mention all the cousins, second cousins and so on and so forth.

We the family, thank and acknowledge all his buddies that would join him when he was having a morning coffee (initially at the bakery and then at the Subway in Raymond).

The family would also like to thank all of the staff of the Raymond Health Centre, those within the medical profession, as well as the workers that help keep the hospital operational. 

Rudy was known for his walking stick and his bicycles. He was often seen daily on his cherry red trike around Raymond doing what he liked best.

Dad is now beginning his new journey and trust that there will be many horses for him to ride including Fury and Ruffles and of course, Mandy the Mule.

Cremation entrusted to Cornerstone Funeral Home. Rudy will be laid to rest in a private family graveside service in the Milk River Cemetery at a later date.

A Celebration of Rudy's Life will be held at an upcoming date. An announcement will be made once the physical distancing for COVID-19 has been lifted. Flowers are gratefully declined. Instead, we hope that participants will contribute their treasured memories of Ralph "Rudy" either at the event or bring a dessert of some sort. Dad liked his sweets and in particular, poppy seed cake.

For those who wish, memorial donations may be made to a charity of one's choice.