Merrill W Rudd, 86, from Rexburg, passed away peacefully with his family on Saturday, December 4th.
He was born on September 8, 1935 in Parker, Idaho to Melvin John Rudd and Lila Burr Rudd. Merrill enjoyed being on the family farm in Parker, Idaho, as the middle child of 7 siblings MJ (Pauline), Clyde (Aniase), Kay (May), Karma (Kimball Hanson), Merrill, Myrna (Kenneth Hardy), Larry (Gayle ), Lenna (Gail Burkinshaw).
Merrill married J’Lene Siepert of Rexburg, Idaho, on December 19, 1958 at the Idaho Falls Temple. They began their married life in Provo, Utah, while Merrill was attending Brigham Young University. They welcomed their first child, Julie, in 1959. Merrill graduated from BYU in 1960. Two sons joined her family at this time: Marlon in 1961 and Mark in 1962.
Merrill and J’Lene bought their first home in Bountiful, Utah while they were accountants. Shortly after the birth of their third son Melvin in 1964, they moved to Rexburg. Merrill opened the first accounting office north of Idaho Falls on Main Street in Rexburg.
They were proud of the company in Rexburg. Rudd & Company, as it is known today, grew to have six offices in three states. In the early 1970s, he bought several Orange Julius franchises in Texas. For the next 30 years, the family would travel to Texas every six months to review business. All his children have fond memories of these trips.
Merrill was at home in Rexburg. He joined the Rotary club and eventually became president. Rotary and Church service should be a constant theme in his life. He was on the board of the Rexburg town cemetery for over 50 years. Their fourth son, Mitchell, was born in 1971. Merrill was a devoted sports fan, but would often compromise with J’Lene to see a Hallmark movie when she would watch a ball game with him. He also enjoyed playing and training his sons in many sports. Their last son Marshall was born in 1977.
Merrill completed 4 missions. First as a young man on the New England States Mission and later with his wife to Scotland, Pennsylvania and Temple Square.
Merrill and J’Lene enjoyed traveling the world as they visited every state as well as Canada, Europe, Asia, Australia and South America.
Merrill served in the Idaho Falls and Rexburg temples and as college bishop. He was loved by his councilors and students alike.
Merrill leaves behind his children Julie (Jon Hebertson) of Sandy, Utah; Marlon of Midway, Utah; Markus (Lynda) from Rexburg; Melvin (Gailiene) of Sugar City; Mitchell (Kimberly) from Holladay, Utah and Marshall (Krista) from Taylorsville, Utah, as well as 21 grandchildren and 27 great-grandchildren.
The funeral will take place on Friday, December 10 at 11:00 am at the Rexburg East stake center. The family receives friends on Thursday evening from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. in the Flamm burial house and again from 10:00 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. before the service in the church. The burial takes place in the Rexburg cemetery. Expressions of condolences can be sent online to www.flammfh.com.
Published by Post Register on December 6, 2021.
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