Thomas Alvin Rudy

Tom grew up as the eldest of five in the wide-open prairies of Chaplin, Saskatchewan, born on March 11, 1939, to a dairy-farming dad, Herman, and piano-teaching mom, Marion. Back then, his family and friends dubbed him “Buster”—a nickname that stuck for life, often eclipsing his real name Thomas to family and childhood friends. Tom and his siblings Fay, Carole, Bruce, and Joyce learned early the rhythms of farm life and music filling their family home.

After completion of high school, Tom started a 35-year career with SaskTel in Swift Current. While in Swift Current, Tom met Donna Wickstrom, the telephone operator from Wadena who stole his heart. They married in October 1960 and welcomed their first three kids—Chrystal, CL, and Tom. They resided in Swift Current for 6 years before heading to a farm between Kelvington and Wadena in 1966. Betty and Wes came along next, as Tom juggled SaskTel shifts with farming Donna’s family land; by the late ’60s, the family settled in Wadena, where roots deepened and community became family.

Wadena embraced Tom as he poured himself into coaching hockey and baseball for over 30 years—he was approached to coach hockey before his own kids even laced up skates—earning awards, a provincial volunteer honor, and spots on the recreation board. He enjoyed curling games and bonspiels, restoring classic cars, and tackling any handyman fix, he kept his hands busy (Tom could build or mend just about anything), fueling the passion he always brought to every task.

Retirement led Donna and Tom to Delta, B.C. for a second act as a carpenter, but after a decade, Saskatchewan called Tom and Donna home to the cabin he’d built years before at Green Water Provincial Park – his true heaven on earth. In his later years, Tom and Donna moved to Saskatoon where he resided until his passing. A devout Christian, he strived to lead as a dedicated husband and father, instilling strong values and ethics in his family, always staying active because sitting still was never his style. Through it all, faith, family, and that endless drive shaped the man he was.

Tom is survived by wife Donna; his children: Chrystal (Mike) Mihelic, Holli-Lynne (Sam) Elliot and Aubrey, Brett (Alissa), CL Weinberg and Winston Weinberg, Thomas Rudy (Cheryl), Zachary, Braden (Denae) Cohen, Zander and Oliver, Betty Clark, and Wesley Rudy (Michelle) and Anna; his sister Joyce Nash; and many nieces and nephews.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday August 8, 2026, at the Wadena Hall (254 Main Street N, Wadena, Saskatchewan).

In lieu of flowers donations in Tom’s name can be sent to [email protected] or mailed to:

Wadena Minor Sports

Box 314

Wadena, Saskatchewan

SOA 4J0