Obituary of Tom Rudy

Celebrating The Life Of Tom Rudy

Tom grew up as the eldest of five in the wide-open prairies of Chaplin, Saskatchewan, born on March 11, 1939, to a dairy-farming dad, Herman, and piano-teaching mom, Marion. Back then, his family and friends dubbed him “Buster”—a nickname that stuck for life, often eclipsing his real name Thomas to family and childhood friends. Tom and his siblings Fay, Carole, Bruce, and Joyce learned early the rhythms of farm life and music filling their family home.

After completion of high school, Tom started a 35-year career with SaskTel in Swift Current, Saskatchewan. While in Swift Current, Tom met Donna Wickstrom, the telephone operator from Wadena who stole his heart. They married in October 1960 and welcomed their first three kids—Chrystal, CL, and Tom. They resided in Swift Current for 6 years before heading to a farm between Kelvington and Wadena, Saskatchewan in 1966. Betty and Wes came along next, as Tom juggled SaskTel shifts with farming Donna’s family land; by the late ’60s, the family settled in Wadena, where roots deepened and community became family.

Wadena embraced Tom as he poured himself into coaching hockey and baseball for over 30 years — he was approached to coach hockey before his own kids even laced up skates— earning awards, a provincial volunteer honor, and spots on the recreation board. He enjoyed curling games and bonspiels, restoring classic cars, and tackling any handyman fix (Tom could build or mend just about anything), he kept his hands busy, fueling the passion he always brought to every task.

Retirement led Donna and Tom to Delta, BC, for a second act as a carpenter, but after a decade, Saskatchewan called Tom and Donna home to the cabin he’d built years before at Green Water Provincial Park – his true heaven on earth. In his later years, Tom and Donna moved to Saskatoon, Saskatchewan where he resided until his passing. A devout Christian, he strived to lead as a dedicated husband and father, instilling strong values and ethics in his family, always staying active because sitting still was never his style. Through it all, faith, family, and that endless drive shaped the man he was.

Tom is survived by wife Donna, his children Chrystal (Mike) Mihelic, Holli-Lynne (Sam) Elliot and Aubrey, Brett (Alissa), CL Weinberg and Winston Weinberg, Thomas Rudy (Cheryl), Zachary, Braden (Denae) Cohen, Zander and Oliver, Betty Clark, and Wesley Rudy (Michelle) and Anna; and his sister Joyce Nash as well as many nieces and nephews.
 

Celebration Of Life

1:00 p.m.

Saturday, August 8, 2026

Wadena Legion Hall

Wadena, SK

There will be no livestream. 
 

Those wishing to send cards

of caring & sympathy may send them to

The Family of Tom Rudy

P.O. Box 206

Kelvington, SK S0A 1W0
 

Donations in memory of Tom

may be made to

wadenaminorsports@outlook.com or mailed to:

Wadena Minor Sports

P.O. Box 314

Wadena, SK S0A 4J0