On Feb. 10, 2024, Bud decided to begin a new journey. He peacefully left his earthly body and his spirit is free to begin new adventures.
Bud was born to Arthur and Eula (Cadle) Rydberg on May 4, 1933. He grew up on the family farm south of Shell Lake on Heart Lake Road, attended Clam River School and graduated from Shell Lake High School in 1951. Bud enlisted in the U.S. Coast Guard from 1953 to 1956. He served in the Aleutian Islands, Apostle Islands and Grand Marais. After serving his country, he completed a journeyman plumber apprenticeship in Rice Lake, Wisconsin. In December 1964 he married Dorothy M. Rhodes of Solon Springs, Wisconsin, and they moved to Superior, Wisconsin, where he worked in various plumbing shops, and earned his master plumber license. He was hired as the plumber inspector of the city of Superior in 1983 and retired from that position in 1995.
After their retirement Bud and Dorothy spent nine years wintering in Mesa, Arizona. Since “we never could decide what we wanted to do when we grew up” they would begin a new adventure by staying in Solon Springs during the winter. They traded their house for a bigger one that had lots of room for Bud to pursue his hobbies of woodwork and stained glass. They enjoyed traveling, usually one bus trip a year. Bud rediscovered a lost love - his love of ice fishing. Almost every winter afternoon, he headed to Lake St. Croix to lure in a few fish. He also spent time fishing in the Hibbing, Minnesota, area with his brother-in-law, Ken. During the spring and summer his focus was gardening.
They sold their Solon Springs home and moved back to his childhood hometown of Shell Lake in 2015. During this time, he enjoyed reconnecting with friends and family from the area, including spending time on the lake and celebrating his 90th birthday.
He was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Myla (Leo) Price, Anelda (Joe) Herzak and Avis (Glen) Nordin; brothers, Don (Beryl) Rydberg and Neal Rydberg; and several nieces and nephews.
Bud is survived by his wife of 59 years, Dorothy M.; sisters-in-law, Maxine Rydberg and Pauline Rhodes; brother-in-law, Ken (Kathy) Rhodes; and many loving nieces and nephews.
A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.
Skinner Funeral Home is serving the family.
