Rudy Kunde

Rudy Kunde

Rudy Kunde, lifelong member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Hammond and Munster, Indiana, passed away at the age of 95, on June 7, 2025. Uncle Rudy's loving family includes nephews Phil Brueggemann (Tucson, AZ), and Mark (Karen) Brueggemann of Grafton, WI; two grand-nieces Alison (Nathan) Pipkorn and Katie (Mitch) Dickison; and a great-grand niece Elena; and great-grand nephew Wyatt. Rudy was preceded in death by his sister Betty (Wallace) Brueggemann.

Funeral service will be held at St. Paul Lutheran, Munster on Wednesday, June 18th with visitation starting at 10 am, and service at 12 pm. Internment follows at Concordia Cemetery, Hammond. The family suggests that memorials be given to St. Paul Munster Lutheran Church and School for ministry focused endowment.

Rudy graduated a proud Hammond High Wildcat in 1947. Soon after, he joined General American Tank Car (GATX) where he spent his entire career in customer support and sales. He was "Service Driven" and developed hundreds of close customer and coworker relationships over the years, with many stories to match. In 1985 he was the first recipient of the GATX Employee of the Year Award. He retired in 1990.

His joy while working for GATX paled in comparison to the level of satisfaction and love he felt for his church. Beginning early on, Rudy was the head of the Walther League for close to 20 years. He is best known as the church's head usher. Rudy enjoyed mentoring the young men of the congregation to serve on the ushering staff. Every Sunday, for over 70 years, you could expect to be greeted by Rudy at the back of church. He ushered with leadership, often in multiple services each weekend. Leading the usher staff was his purpose, not simply a volunteer position. Rudy also served on the Board of Trustees and as President of Concordia Cemetery for many years.

Rudy's father Otto died while he was in High School, so he became a committed son to Elizabeth until she passed in 1996. Rudy offered the support his mother needed in exchange for good cooking and timely motherly advice. Rudy lived a full and faithful life. He touched many lives and shared countless laughs. Rudy maintained that Kunde charm even during the last couple of years while in assisted living. Faithful until the end, as he once told one of his nurses, "My faith is in Jesus, without Him I am nothing".

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