RUDOLPH EDWIN AMMETER

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RUDOLPH EDWIN AMMETER

June 28, 1939 - December 25, 2024

It is with profound sorrow that we announce on Christmas Day, Rudy Ammeter peacefully passed from this life to the next.

Rudy was born in Stockton, MB, the first child of Arnold and Elsie. In 1944, land in Headingley was purchased and Arnold, along with brothers Gottlieb and Otto, established Ammeter Brothers Farm. It was here that Rudy's journey as a farmer began.

Rudy attended school in Headingley and Winnipeg and made many lifelong friends. A man of faith, he attended regularly at Trinity Lutheran Church in Starbuck.

In 1964, Rudy married Sandra Halstead and they began their life together. They rented a tiny house within walking distance of the family farm. By Christmas 1966 they had moved into a brand new home on the farm property. June 1967 brought Wesley; September 1970 brought Debbie; June 1974 brought Michael and their family was complete.

A dairy farm is always busy and does not always allow much leisure time, but there were still camping trips, beach days and lots of family visiting time. Family was important to Rudy and he considered that a priority. St. Ambroise was a favourite beach destination and many happy days were spent there with family, especially cousin Raymond and Jean Ammeter and their family.

Rudy farmed for many years alongside his Dad and his brother Arni. In 1994, the dairy cows were sold, and they still continued to farm nearly 3000 acres. Once the year's crops were safely in the bins, Rudy and Sandra were able to do some travelling. The next 25 years brought trips of all kinds, to many different destinations. There were road trips, cruises and all inclusives. They made several trips with brother and sister-in-law Clare and Sandra Halstead; and they enjoyed every one of them, whether they went with companions or on their own.

Rudy was privileged to spend his whole life doing what he loved, and that was farming. A farmer through and through, he was able to work on the farm right up until this very last harvest, when he still ran the grain cart for a few days of combining. Rudy was a staunch John Deere man and ran nothing but green equipment in all the years of his life. Rudy had several antique John Deere tractors which had been lovingly restored, and one of his great joys was putting around the yard with them. Rudy and grandson Ian shared this love of tractors and even held an annual "Tractor Day" where they would start all the old tractors and parade them around the yard.

In October 2024, Rudy and Sandra celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary. Rudy was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, uncle and friend. We were all so blessed to have him in our lives for this long. Oh, how you will be missed! We will miss the stories, the wisdom, and the "Rudyisms" we had all come to expect over the years.

Rudy is survived by his loving wife Sandra, his children, Wes (Jennifer), Debbie (Dennis), Michael (Pamela); his grandchildren, Amy, Angela, Eric, Matthew, and Ian; his dear brother, friend and farming partner, Arni; sisters, Leona Ammeter and Linda James, brother and sister-in-law Clare and Sandra Halstead, as well as many cherished nieces, nephews and godchildren.

Rudy was predeceased by his infant brother Emil Roland in 1940; parents, Elsie, in 1991, Arnold, in 1997; infant grandsons, Paul and Joseph in 1997, brother-in-law Ron James in 2016, and many special aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Funeral service will be held on January 7, 2025, 11:00 a.m., at Trinity Lutheran Church in Starbuck, MB, Pastor Debra Johnson officiating. Voyage Funeral Home entrusted with arrangements. A private family interment will follow.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jan 04, 2025