Robert “Arlen” Rud died peacefully surrounded by family on Wednesday, August 23 at his home.

Arlen was born on May 3, 1939, to Robert and Frances Rud in Osceola, WI. He was the eldest of 5 children and grew up in his parent’s homestead in East Farmington, WI. Arlen’s strong work ethic started when he was young. While in High School, he helped his Grandfather Gus Krogman on his farm as well as neighbor Fred Johnson. Arlen graduated from Osceola High School in 1957 and continued working on his grandfather’s farm and for a brief time worked at Twin City Arsenal. In 1959 Arlen began working at Andersen Windows, Bayport, MN.

On May 13, 1961, Arlen was united in marriage to Jannis Law of Stillwater, MN. Arlen and Jannis were blessed with 3 children, Lori, Todd and Chris. Arlen raised beef cattle while working at Andersen Windows and enjoyed sharing the story of the time his beef cattle got loose and visited the nearby Drive in Theatre and Ski Hill before he coaxed them home & into the barn. A few years later, Arlen and Jannis built a home outside East Farmington, WI where they would raise their family while continuing to farm & raise beef cattle. There, they created many beautiful memories with their children through the next several years including annual family road trips throughout the Midwest and beyond.

In the Fall of 1979 Arlen purchased a dairy farm just on the edge of town in Clear Lake, WI. He and Jannis chose a new career path and worked side by side persevering through the ups and downs of dairy farming over the next 22 years. During this time, Todd went to school for Dairy Heard Management and joined his parents in managing the dairy farm. Arlen’s youngest son, Chris, also worked on the dairy farm while in high school and through his college career.

After 22 years of dairy farming, Arlen & Jannis began a new career endeavor that would allow them to refocus their energy and time toward their family. In 2001, they went into the Convenience Store Business along with their daughter Lori and son Todd. They first built “CR Convenience”, in Clear Lake, WI. A few years later, they built “The Star” in Star Prairie, WI.

Through all these years Arlen began dabbling in the stock market and it became one of his favorite pastimes. This was just another one of Arlen’s adventures that he grew with great success. In 2012, while most folks would have been ready to put their feet up, Arlen & Jannis purchased a retirement home “Just out a Range”. They continued to invest their time in the convenience stores and the constant changes in the world of business. You could often catch them tag teaming with their riding lawn mowers managing the grounds of the stores or pass them on the road in their travels for business. However, in Range they were able to enjoy the simple things in life with wildlife all around them and just being together. Arlen was a wonderful conversationalist with a great sense of humor and his conversations lit up the room. This is where he fulfilled his biggest dream of bringing his family together for so many wonderful times to celebrate birthdays, holidays and just “Be”.

Arlen is survived by his loving wife, Jannis, his sons Todd and Chris (Annette), son in law Brian Cloutier, sister Mary Ann Updyke, brothers, Wayne (Sheri), Rusty and Randy (Tina), grandchildren Tyler (Leah) Cloutier, Alexa (DJ) Larson, Miya (Donny) De Alejandro, Noah Rud and Ethan Rud, great grandchildren Keegan Cloutier and Lennox Larson, and several cousins, nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his parents Robert & Frances, daughter Lori Cloutier and grandson Jordan Cloutier.

A Visitation is scheduled for Thursday, August 31, 2023, from 3:00PM-5:00PM at Grandstrand Funeral Home, Osceola, WI.

Private Burial will be held for the family at Oak Grove Cemetery, East Farmington, WI.

Arlen can rest in peace knowing he did his best at everything because of his Love for Life and his Family.

Last Update: Aug 29, 2023 11:55 am CDT