Richard E. Rudzik

Richard E. Rudzik, age 80, of Ulysses, Kansas, died Monday, December 23, 2019, at Bob Wilson Memorial Hospital in Ulysses, Kansas. He was born February 17, 1939, in Jetmore, Kansas, the son of Connie and Doris (Stoskopff) Rudzik.

Richard, raised by his grandparents, grew up in Jetmore and graduated in 1957 from Jetmore High School as salutatorian. After graduation, he played football at The University of Nebraska, Dodge City Community College and New Mexico State. While playing football at New Mexico State, they were the Sun Bowl Champions in 1959 – 1960. He was an All American in track and basketball. He then continued his love of playing football with the Dallas Cowboys. Richard moved back to the Dodge City and Cimarron area, and then to Ulysses in 1969, where he was a Farm Bureau Agent for 46 years. He was also a farmer and rancher. Richard loved football, enjoyed fishing, hunting, coyote hunting, and raised greyhounds. He was also a member of the Church of Christ.

Richard married Zana Walters on July 19, 1974 in Dodge City, Kansas. She survives.

Other survivors include two sons, Chance Rudzik and wife Kenya of Ulysses, and Chad Rudzik and wife Sara of Meade; daughters, Jodi Rudzik of Cimarron, Kansas, Leslie Bessette of Richfield, Jara Carlson and husband Scott of Beatrice, Nebraska, and Artrisha Moyer and husband Jeff of Ulysses; brother, Don Rudzik and wife Sharon of Jetmore; sisters, JoAnn Rehmert and husband Dennis of Dodge City, and Mary Lou Fagan and husband Ron of Florissant, Colorado; 15 grandchildren, Quentin Rudzik, Ashley Cravens, Eryne Bessette, Zach Bessette, Mari Bessette, Kavan Rudzik, Chase Rudzik, Ian Rudzik, Alyssa Rudzik, Jayden Rudzik, MaKenna Rudzik, Kylin Rudzik, Jazstyn Moyer, Jett Moyer, and Jyntri Moyer.

Richard is preceded in death by his father, Connie Rudzik, and mother, Doris Steerman.

Funeral service will be Friday, December 27, 2019, at 2:00 p.m. at the Church of Christ in Ulysses with Mike Anderson and Pastor Gerry Dupuis officiating. Interment will follow at Ulysses Cemetery. Friends may call Thursday, December 26, 2019, from 2:00 PM until 8:00 PM at Garnand Funeral Home in Ulysses. Memorial contributions may be given to Fellowship of Christian Athletes of Ulysses High School or Ulysses Church of Christ in care of Garnand Funeral Home, 405 W. Grant Ave, Ulysses, KS 67880. Condolences may be posted at www.garnandfuneralhomes.com.