HARVEY RAYMOND RUDOLF

With grace and quiet strength, our dear father and grandfather was called home to God on December 23, 2025. Though our hearts ache, we take comfort in knowing he rests in eternal peace. He is lovingly remembered by his daughter Christine (Ron Zelantini), his sons Wayne (Camille Leussink), Keith (Rachel Khadaroo), Jonathan (Stacey Anderson) and his twelve Grandchildren Savanna, Shawn, Casey, Lucy, Waylon, Charlotte, Willow, Nolan, Riley, Avery, Adalyn, and Asher.

Harvey will be deeply missed by his sister Carolyn, his brother Allan, his brother-in-law William Sharpe, his sister-in-law Brenda Park, and by many nieces, nephews, extended family members, and friends whose lives he touched.

He was predeceased by his loving wife, Shirley Rudolf (née Hertlein), his parents Heinrich (Henry) and Mary Rudolf (née Mitchler), his sisters Doreen and Marlene, his brothers Edwin and Ken, his sisters-in-law Shirley Timm and Judy Spurgeon, and his brothers-in-law Arthur Wittman and Ken Gendzelevich.

Harvey Raymond Rudolf was born in Whitemouth, Manitoba on September 8, 1942, and raised on the family farm, where he learned early the value of hard work and the joy of building with his hands. During his childhood, the family relocated to Rossdale, Manitoba to continue farming. In 1958, the family sold the farm and moved to Winnipeg, where Harvey completed high school and soon found his calling in the trades. He began working at The Dowse Sash & Door Co. in 1961, apprenticing in what was then known as Factory Woodworking (Cabinetmaking). After earning his journeyman certification on July 14, 1965, he applied for a teaching position at the Northern Manitoba Vocational Centre, an unexpected but remarkable opportunity that promised professional growth and offered triple the wage. He was hired and moved to The Pas in August 1966 to help oversee and complete construction of the new school.

What began as a temporary move soon became a lifelong home. He remained at the institution, later known as Keewatin Community College (KCC) and now the University College of the North (UCN), as its Carpentry Instructor, devoting nearly four decades to teaching and mentoring hundreds of aspiring carpenters, woodworkers, and hobbyists until his retirement in 2004. It was at the school that Harvey met Shirley, who worked in business administration. After a couple of years of courtship, they were married in Ingles, Manitoba on July 11, 1970. Their family grew quickly, first with a daughter, Christine, in 1973, followed by three sons, Wayne, Keith, and Jonathan.

Life in The Pas suited Harvey perfectly, especially with its distinct seasons. Winter brought many of his favourite pastimes: snowmobiling through fresh powder, cross‑country skiing on crisp mornings, curling in local leagues and bonspiels, and hunting and ice fishing with family and friends. He loved winter trips to the family cottage, where the quiet of Clearwater Lake blanketed in snow held a beauty all its own, a peacefulness he cherished year after year.

Summer was just as full. In 1973, Harvey and Shirley began building their lakefront cottage on Clearwater Lake, a project that blended his carpentry skills with his love of the outdoors. With the school closed for July and August, he devoted his summers to construction, gardening, and time on the water. The family spent long days fishing, waterskiing, boating, and exploring the surrounding forests and trails. Later, when the boys were old enough, they joined Scouts Canada with their dad. As a Scout leader and later a Scout camp caretaker, Harvey travelled across the country, including a memorable trip to PEI where the winds nearly flattened their tents.

No matter the season, Harvey always had a project on the go. Woodworking, tinkering, and helping others with repairs or builds were simply part of who he was. His faith community was important to him; he was active in Lutheran Church Canada and served as an elder for many years. He volunteered whenever he could and cherished evenings spent playing cards, board games, and cribbage with family and friends.

In his senior years, he continued to enjoy the activities that had shaped so much of his life, curling, fishing both on open water and through the ice, and more recently, pickleball. He remained an enthusiastic sports fan, especially of the CFL, curling, and the World Junior Hockey Championship each holiday season.

After the passing of Shirley in 2020, Harvey moved from the family home in The Pas to the Edmonton region to be closer to his children and grandchildren, who were a constant source of joy and pride.

A memorial is being planned for our father in the spring of 2026 in the Edmonton, Alberta area.

If so, desired donations may be made to the Alzheimer Society of Canada.

The family wishes to express their sincere appreciation to the compassionate team at AgeCare Miller Crossing, whose gentle care and steadfast support were a true blessing during his final journey.