The Central City Republican-Nonpareil | January 15, 2026

Gary Lee Rudolf, 82, of St. Charles, Iowa, passed away Monday, January 5, 2026, in Des Moines, Iowa.

The family greeted friends on Thursday, January 8, 2026, at Overton Funeral Home in Indianola, Iowa.

Funeral services were held on Monday, January 12, 2026, at the Zion United Methodist Church in Archer, with Reverend Gordon Paulsen officiating. The family greeted friends prior to the service at the church.

Congregational hymns included “How Great Thou Art,” “The Old Rugged Cross,” “Amazing Grace,” and “The Lord’s Prayer.”

Dan Sawatzky was the accompanist.

Pallbearers included Cassandra Rudolf, Ali Graham, Bodey Hanrahan, Grace Hanrahan, Sheri Hastings, Shelly Thompson, John Hastings, and Anthony Graham.

Burial was in the Rose Hill Cemetery at Palmer.

Graveside military honors were provided by Burton-Beyer American Legion Post 120 of Palmer. Peters Funeral Home of St. Paul is assisting the Rudolf family with the Nebraska services.

Memorials for Gary may be directed to the family for a memorial to be decided at a later date.

Gary Lee Rudolf was born on April 11, 1943, in Central City, the son of Albert P. and Esther A. (Zlomke) Rudolf. He graduated from Palmer High School in Palmer in 1961 and attended Northeast Community College in Norfolk.

On June 27, 1965, Gary was united in marriage to Sandra Lea Smith. To this union two children were born a son, Brad, and a daughter, Traci.

Gary began working for Chief Industries in 1968 in Grand Island, and transferred with the company to Fort Dodge, Iowa, in 1969. He then began working for Modern Farm Systems (MFS) starting in 1972 at Webster City, Iowa, and eventually relocated to St. Marys, Iowa, in 1977, working as a territory sales representative. He retired from MFS/Hutcheson Mayrath/Global Industries in 2014 at the age of seventy.

Gary also served in the Army National Guard in Nebraska and Iowa.

Gary had a passion for raising and riding horses his entire life. As a young boy, he enjoyed switching out the work horse teams at mid-day with his father or uncle Amel. Later in life, Gary participated in rodeo calf roping events, qualifying for the Iowa Rodeo Cowboys Association finals several years. He also enjoyed following the Nebraska Cornhuskers and Iowa State Cyclones. He played baseball in his youth, but his greatest joy was attending his kids’ and grandkids’ activities. Gary and Sandy enjoyed traveling domestically and abroad. In August 2025, Gary and Sandy traveled to the Teton National Park in Wyoming with their children and grandchildren to celebrate their sixtieth wedding anniversary. It was a very special celebration.

Gary was a member of the St. Marys American Legion Post #716, the Iowa Rodeo Cowboys Association, United States Calf Ropers Association, Iowa Rodeo Association, and the American Quarter Horse Association.

Gary is survived by his wife of sixty years, Sandra Rudolf; son, Brad (Penny) Rudolf of St. Marys, Iowa; daughter, Traci Rudolf (Phil) Hanrahan of St. Marys, Iowa; four grandchildren, Cassandra Rudolf of Norwalk, Iowa, Ali (Anthony) Graham of Norwalk, Iowa, Brodey Hanrahan of St. Marys, Iowa, and Grace Hanrahan of St. Marys, Iowa; two great-grandsons, Hudson and Hayden Graham; sisters-in-law, Lavonne Rudolf and Loretta Rudolf; brothers- in-law, Tom Williams and Gary (Kristy) Smith; and several nieces and nephews.

Preceding him in death were his parents, Albert and Esther Rudolf; infant sister, Shirley Rudolf; sister, Aileen (Jack) Rawlings; brothers, Ralph Rudolf and Wayne Rudolf; parentsin- law, Eldon and Lola Smith; and sister-in-law, Shirley Williams.