MAJEWSKI: Rudy was born October 12, 1930 in Solodry, Russia (formally Poland). This area changed from Russian to Polish Territory several times. Although Rudy was Russian by birth, his parents were Polish. When Rudy was young his parents were taken by Stalin and forced to work as slaves in Siberia. Although the farm was confiscated, his grandparents were allowed to stay on the farm and raise the children until Rudy was 5 or 6 years old. Rudy’s dad came and got the children and reunited the family with their mother. They lived for a couple years in a small town. Although Rudy had no formal education and couldn’t read or write, his mother taught him German. He also knew Russian, Polish and Ukrainian. In 1937 the Russians came and took Rudy’s father. It was the last time any of the family saw him. The family was taken deeper into Russia where the women and children slept in fields, as they traveled. Rudy thought the Germans saved them when a German plane strafed them. Their capturers fled, leaving them behind. The family endured many hardships while fleeing the war with ox carts and horses. Rudy’s younger brother Berthold drown in a river in Poland at 14 years old. Ironically his older brother, Helmuth drowned in a dugout near Waseca, SK. As the Germans withdrew from Russia the family moved ahead of them into British held territory in Germany. The family immigrated to Canada in 1948. Rudy worked for Harry and Anne Hardy where he rapidly learned English from their children. He worked in Edmonton for approximately 10 years, going north to lumber camps in the winter. In 1962 Rudy moved to Paradise Hill. He worked for many farmers in the area. He then worked for Rosell Contracting until his retirement at the age of 65. Rudy enjoyed fishing and visiting. In later years he could be seen in his 1991 white dodge truck heading to the local coffee shop daily at 2 pm. Every Saturday for 18 years a group of 4 or 5 guys would meet at 11 am at Rudy’s place for a safety meeting. Rudy would walk on the road east of South Perch Lake Road. He placed a small salt block and would see deer almost daily. He thought they were the spirits of his family. McCaw Funeral Service Ltd., of Lloydminster, Alberta administered the funeral arrangements. Card of Thanks Thank you to the Paradise Hill Care Home for the care Rudy received while there. A big thank you to all the staff of Lloydminster Hospital for the excellent care that Rudy received. Thank you to Sandra Salzl for officiating Rudy’s service and thank you to McCaw Funeral Service Ltd.
