It is our sad duty to report the passing of our Past Department Commander of Nebraska and the Dakotas, Merle Rudebush on January 11, 2022.
PDC Merle Rudebusch, was an active member of the Sons of Union Veterans of Nebraska, Shiloh Camp #2 in Lincoln. He served as Shiloh Camp Commander, Camp Secretary/Treasurer, Camp Council, Camp Graves Registration Officer, filled in as a meeting appointee whenever a chair was vacant, as well as other positions/committees as needed. He also served as Department Commander, Department Secretary/Treasurer, Department Council member, Graves Registration Officer, and Historian, as well as other positions. Merle attended numerous National Encampments, and was well respected in the organization.
Merle was one of the original charter members when the Department of Nebraska was re-established into the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War in 2000. This last year he received his 25-year pin from the Department, the first Brother to receive that honor.
Merle has spent much time walking cemeteries across the state of Nebraska recording Civil War veterans graves and taking photos. He spent countless hours uploading that data to the SUVCW National Graves Registration Database. He was dedicated to preserving our Civil War history and was always ready and willing to cleaning Civil War veterans headstones.
Merle’s presence will be greatly missed at meetings and events, his service and dedication will always be remembered.
Merle Allen Rudebusch, age 88, was born in Randolph, Nebraska on December 9, 1933. He has lived in Lincoln for the last 49 years and entered into his heavenly rest on January 11, 2022. Merle is preceded in death by his mother, May (Shipman) Rudebusch and father, John D. Rudebusch.
Merle is survived by his loving wife of 59 years, Arlene (Lambrecht) Rudebusch; his five children, Lori (Robert) Ryman of Elmwood, NE, Sharon (Mark) Poindexter of Bellevue, NE, Michael (Tonya) Rudebusch of Seward, NE, Phillip Rudebusch of Lincoln, NE, Robert (Michelle) Rudebusch of Castle Rock, CO. Seven grandchildren, Elizabeth (Shane) Pitts, Kristin Ryman, Daniel Rudebusch, Mikayla Rudebusch, Victoria Rudebusch, Lukas Rudebusch, and Haylee Rudebusch; Great granddaughter, McKenzie Pitts.
Funeral services will be held 11:00 a.m., Friday, January 28, 2022 at Redeemer Lutheran Church, 510 South 33rd Street, Lincoln with Pastor Mark Ebert officiating. Visitation will be held at Trump Funeral Services, 1600 West “O” Street, Lincoln from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Thursday, January 27, 2022. Burial will be held at a later date in Yankee Hill Cemetery, Lincoln. Condolences may be left at trumpmemorials.com.