James Rhude

James E. Rhude

James E Rhude, 86 Hibbing died Saturday January 9th at Saint Mary’s Hospital in Duluth Minnesota.

Jim was born January 12th, 1929 to Jens O. and Helen (Ingebo) Rhude in Duluth, Mn.  He graduated from Duluth Central High School in 1947 and was a 1956 graduate of UMD.  Jim was former President of Rhude Ford in Hibbing and current President of Rhude & Fryberger, a company founded by his father, Jens O. Rhude and Robert Fryberger in 1938.

He was a member of many clubs and organizations including the Masonic Lodge #255 of Hibbing, Aad Temple Shrine of Duluth, the Royal Order of Jesters, and the Sons of Norway. He was also on the board of directors for the Salvation Army.  He served in the US Army during the Korean War from 1953 to 1955.  In his younger years he was an avid stock car racer and had a lifelong passion for aviation and adventure.  He enjoyed spending time with family and friends.  Jim was a member of First Lutheran Church in Hibbing.  He was preceded in death by his parents, stepmother Ardell Sheehy Rhude and sister Muriel Shirey.

He is survived by his wife Joan; daughters Rana Porter, Seal Beach California; Sally (Frank) Pernat of Chaska Minnesota; sons Kent (Caroline), Alpena Michigan; Cary (Dawn), Hibbing Minnesota and grand children James, William and Stephen Porter, Emily and Laura Rhude, Savannah Maki, Jens and Garrett Rhude, Claire and Reed Pernat and many nieces and nephews.

Funeral  services for James will be 11:00am, Monday, January 18, 2016 at First Lutheran Church in Hibbing.  The Rev. Ben Schori will officiate.  Visitation will be from 6-8pm, Sunday, January 17, 2016 at the Dougherty Funeral Home of Hibbing.  The visitation will continue from 10:00am until the 11:00am service at the church on Monday.  A private family interment will be at the Maple Hill Cemetery in Hibbing.  Pallbearers are; Peter Johnson, Oren Bottoms, Mike Riley, Dave Danielson, Ray Norman, and Matt Opack.  In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to; Shriners Hospitals for Children; 2900 Rocky Point Drive, Tampa, FL, 33607.  Memorials may also be directed to the First Lutheran Church of Hibbing, or the Salvation Army.  The Rhude family would like to express their deepest gratitude towards the Hibbing Hospital staff, the nurses, and to Dr. Mitchell Cardwell, as well as Essentia St. Mary’s Hospital in Duluth, their staff, nurses, and to Dr. Mark Neustel for their outstanding and loving care they gave to James during his time at their respective facilities.  Arrangements are with the Dougherty Funeral Home of Hibbing.

To leave a message of condolence, please visit us at www.doughertyofhibbing.com .