Rudolph "Rudie" Petru, 84, of Hallettsville, died Feb. 17, 2011. He was born on June 18, 1926 to Joe J. & Stazie Jurena Petru in Sweet Home, Texas. He married Dorothy Smolik Petru on May 9, 1951, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Hallettsville. He was also a veteran of WWII and served in the U.S. Army from Nov. 14, 1944 to Aug. 19, 1946, as a Military Policeman. He was member of the American Legion, V.F.W., Knights of Columbus, and Sacred Heart Catholic Church.

Rudie and Dorothy had 10 children, whom they instilled family values & hard work. Times were spent enjoying each others company, listening to music, dancing, singing, hunting and fishing.

Rudie enjoyed playing guitar for over 70 years, and played in many polka & waltz bands. He also had his own band, "The Rainbow Rhythms".

Rudie always kept busy on projects after he retired, and enjoyed traveling with Dorothy and relaxing. Together Rudie & Dorothy earned Amateur Radio Operator License, and built radios by themselves, once they put the kids to bed. They shared many common interests that helped their love for one another endure for 75 years.

Rudie worked for Modern Appliance and Ehlers Furniture as appliance service repairman, and retired from Kasper Wire Works.

Rudie is survived by: 3 sons, Patrick Petru of Victoria, Anthony Petru of Hallettsville, and Mark Petru & wife Lori of Yoakum; 7 daughters, Donna Petru of Warner Robins, GA, Delores Rivera & husband Ricky of Katy, Joyce Hanzel & husband Kenneth of Moulton, Jeanette Boedeker & husband David of Shiner, Grace Kloppenburg & husband Robert of Hallettsville, Elrose Ehler & husband Harvey of Hallettsville, and Bridget Pecikonis & husband Scott of Fort Worth; sister Magdeline Potcinske of Victoria; 13 grandchildren, Kevin, Kyle and Kody Boedeker of Shiner; James, Justin, and Brittany Petru of Yoakum; Amy and Stacey Rivera of Katy, Lesly Bujnoch (Francis) of Hallettsville, Dawn Vinklarek and Baron Hanzel of Moulton, Thomas and Megan Barnes of Fort Worth; and 4 great grandchildren, Kala, Braylee and Abby Bujnoch; and Rylie Boedeker.

Rudie was preceded in death by: his wife Dorothy; parents; and brother Albert Petru.

Funeral Mass Service: 2 pm, Sunday, Feb. 20, 2011, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Hallettsville. Visitation: 3 pm, Saturday, at Kubena Funeral Home. Rosaries: 7 pm, Saturday at Kubena Funeral Home; and 1:30 pm, Sunday at Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Officiate: Rev. John Peters. Pallbearers: Larry Koehn, Leonard Christien, Greg Wendel, John Trojcak, Kevin Boedeker, and James Petru. Burial: Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery. Memorials: Donor's Choice.