Bernard "Bud" Rash, 97, of Bemidji, died on Wednesday, March 7, 2007, at North Country Regional Hospital in Bemidji.
A funeral will be held at 2 p.m. on Wednesday at the Olson-Schwartz Funeral Home of Bemidji with Rev. James De Smidt officiating. A visitation will be held from 5-8 p.m. on Tuesday at the Olson-Schwartz Funeral Home of Bemidji and one hour prior to the service on Wednesday at the funeral home. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery in Bemidji.
He was born on Jan. 6, 1910, to Lindly and Emma (Briggs) Rash, in New Providence, Iowa. He grew up, attended school and graduated from high school in New Providence. He was active in sports there. After high school he went to work for J.C. Penney as a salesman. He married Edith Stoehr on Aug. 3, 1932, in Galena, Ill. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II, where he received the Asiatic Pacific Theatre Campaign Ribbon, two Bronze Stars, a Bronze Arrowhead, a Good Conduct Medal, a Service Stripe, a Philippine Liberation Medal with one Star, an Overseas Medal and a Victory Ribbon. He was in the Battle of Okinawa. After the war the family moved to Scottsbluff, Neb., and he worked for Gambles, and then as a hospital administrator. They moved to Waterloo, Iowa, where he worked for Montgomery Ward until 1975. Then he retired and moved to Bemidji in 1976. He managed Lake Country Clothing and then continued to work there part time until he was 92 years of age.
He enjoyed his work and being with people. He was a member of First Presbyterian Church.
He is survived by his daughters, Carole (Jim) Abels of Bemidji and Sandra (Richard) Burdette of Hanover, Mich.; and eight grandchildren, 12 great- grandchildren and nine great- great-grandchildren.
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He was preceded in death by his parents; wife; son, Larry Rash; brothers, Cecil and Kenneth Rash; and sister, Marian Pierce.
The family prefers memorials to the American Heart Association.
Online guest book at www.olsonschwartzfuneralhome.com .
