Rudy Wadle

A Mass of Christian Burial for Rudolph “Rudy” Wadle, 72, of Milo will be held on Monday, January 10, 2022, at 10:00 a.m. at the St. Augustine Catholic Church in Milo, Iowa. Interment with military honors will follow at the Rosemount Cemetery. A luncheon at the Pierschbacher Funeral Home in Milo, Iowa will follow interment.

The family will greet friends at the St. Augustine Catholic Church on Sunday, January 9, 2022, from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m., with the Rosary beginning at 1:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to Rudy’s family and will be designated to several causes and charities that Rudy supported.

The service will be livestreamed at the following link: https://my.gather.app/remember/rudy-wadle

Rudolph Dominic Wadle was born near Rosemount, Iowa to Leonard and Irene Lillie Wadle on July 7, 1949. He was one of seven children born to the couple and was raised near Rosemount. He attended Rosemount School and graduated from Southeast Warren High School in 1967. Shortly after graduating, he enlisted in the United States Army, serving from 1967 until 1969. He then served in the Army Reserves until November of 1973.

Everyone knows Rudy in different ways. Many people know him from the restaurant, from riding his Harley, the black powder club, or from his works of faith. In the last 40 years, you would know him with his wife Jan. Rudy and Jan met while working at AMF. Rudy was a repairman on the assembly line and would walk through the factory seeing what needed fixed and he happened to notice Jan and asked her to go snow skiing with him in Minnesota. She of course said no but gave him her phone number. They were married in 1982. Her children, Brian and Erica, became his children. He discovered a whole new type of love in 1996 when Cameron was born, making him a grandpa, and became a grandpa a second time in 2004 when grandson Dominic was born. They enjoyed the years sharing many fun times with the children and grandchildren.

Rudy and Jan were married just a few short months after opening the restaurant, and they always joked that if they had been married first it would have been named “Jan’s Joint” instead of the iconic “Rudy’s Rendezvous”. The restaurant became their second home for nearly 30 years. Rudy had a way with people and food and the restaurant became known far and wide for its BBQ ribs, tacos, peanut butter and M&M pizza and more, right down to the complimentary ice cream cones at the end of the meal.

Whether folks gathered for a dinner for two, or a party of fifty, Rudy was there to serve his community. When RAGBRAI came through, riders could be heard chanting “Rudy” as they came down the hill, anxious to get one of those famous tacos. Every time there was a prom or formal event and the boys would wear a tuxedo, Rudy would say “dinner is on me”. Many will remember the hundreds of homemade peanut clusters he would give out over the holidays.

Rudy was also a one-of-a-kind employer and a magnet to kids. Over the years, over 200 employees helped at the restaurant. For many kids, it was their first job. Rudy helped many through rough patches, giving them confidence and self-worth.

The Broken Ramrod Black Powder Club was a passion for Rudy. He was called the “Provider” in the group, no matter what you needed, Rudy would always come through, not only providing food, but providing guidance and mentoring.

Rudy enjoyed life, everything about life. He loved riding his Harley, one of which was built at the AMF plant. His ornery streak was evident in the burnout marks he left on the floor around the pool table inside his father’s bar. Just this past September, he enjoyed one final ride with his daughter and his grandson, Dominic.

He loved big gatherings of family and friends. Though he only worked at AMF for sixteen years until the plant closed, several lifelong friends he made there still get together 35 years later, one Saturday a month for breakfast. Let’s not forget the annual pond parties. They were a lot of work, but he insisted it was no big deal, we can do it one more time.

But most of all, Rudy will be remembered for his servant attitude and faith in Christ. After retirement, he and Jan were able to fully devote their life to God. Instead of serving meals, their mission has been to serve others. As they volunteered in his community, he helped at the local food pantry and helped to deliver Meals on Wheels He and Jan would regularly visit the nursing homes, taking communion to the residents. He truly lived his life for Christ Jesus.

Rudy will be dearly missed by many, including his wife, Jan Wadle; son, Brian (Joan) Hertzler and their son, Cameron (Samantha); daughter, Erica Wadle and her son, Dominic; siblings: James Wadle, Patsy Hampton, Mary Konrad, Albert (Tina) Wadle, and Gene (Pam) Wadle; sister-in-law, Jane Ann; along with many nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends.

Rudy was preceded in death by his parents, Leonard and Irene; and brother, Jack Wadle.