Rudy Kaiser, 88, of Minneapolis, MN, died April 28, 2026, at North Memorial Hospital, Minneapolis.
Rudy was born on December 5, 1937, in Streeter, ND to Joseph and Magdalena (Martin) Kaiser. He grew up on the Kaiser farm southwest of Streeter and attended school in Streeter. He joined the US Army in 1953 as a medic. Following his honorable discharge, he moved to Oregon, where he lived for a little over a year. While in Oregon he entered a talent show and received first place. With that achievement he got the opportunity to sing at the Grand Ole Opry. Rudy returned to North Dakota, where he met Vallis Falk and they married in 1960. To this union they had five children: Kimberly, Pamela, Gregory, Douglas and Gwendlyn. The couple resided in Moorhead, MN where Rudy worked for the creamery. The couple later divorced and Rudy married Nancy Thomas in 1970. To this union they had one child, Christy. Together they lived in Fargo where Rudy worked for Cossette Trucking. Rudy later married Sandy Anderson in 1976 and they had two children, Kristy and Michael. The couple lived in Napoleon, ND, where Rudy was an over the road truck driver. In 1986 Rudy married Joan Erickson and adopted her son Monte. They lived in Hitterdal, MN where Rudy continued to drive truck. Rudy later met Diane Reid and adopted her two children, Tosha and Charlie.
Together they lived in Ulen, MN. They were engaged to be married, but two days before their wedding Diane unexpectedly passed away. Rudy continued to drive truck over the road until his retirement at the age of 80 from there he became a snowbird living in Bushnell, FL during the winter months.
Rudy enjoyed playing several musical instruments, including accordion, piano and guitar. He learned to embroider at a young age and continued the craft throughout his life.
Rudy is survived by his children, Kimberly (Mark Manship) Kaiser, Minneapolis, MN, Pamela (Roy White) Kaiser-Anderson, Burnsville, MN, Gregory (Karla Johnson) Kaiser, Fargo, ND, Douglas Kaiser, Somerset, WI, Gwendlyn (Jim Anderson) Kaiser-Anderson, Casselton, MN, Christy Kaiser, Duluth, MN, Kristy (Trevor) Lund, Lake Park, MN, Michael (Amy) Kaiser, Lonsdale, MN, Monte Erickson, Minesota, Tosha (Ryan) Reid, Hawley, MN and Charlie (Claire) Reid, Minneapolis, MN; 15 grandchildren, several great grandchildren; brothers, Roger (Frankie) Kaiser, Mandan and Stanley Kaiser, Las Vegas, NV; and sisters, Jo (Victor) Vilhauer, Wishek, ND and Kelly Kaiser, Howard Lake, MN.
He was preceded in death by his parents; wives, Sandy and Joan; fiancée, Diane Reid; and sisters, Evangeline (Larry) Herpel and Eileen Kaiser.