In Memoriam - James Rudy Laufer

James Rudy
Laufer
95

James Rudy Laufer, 95, of Moses Lake, Washington, passed away in his home on September 7, 2026. He was born in Hettinger, North Dakota, on September 7, 1931.

Rudy, as he was known to his friends and family, was a farmer through and through, and is remembered by many for his years spent in the hay industry here in the basin. Many remember seeing his “angel” loader sitting on the bed of his little truck, traveling from one end of the county to the other, loading hay onto semi trailers. Though he did not own farm ground, his work in the custom hay business was known by most.

Rudy could build almost anything in his shop and spent his few years of retirement tinkering in the shop and in his garden, growing the best tomatoes around. He stayed busy, often buzzing around on his three-wheeler, trailer attached, going from one project to another.

Rudy is preceded in death by his mother and father, Rose and Frank Laufer, three brothers, and two sisters, his wife of 42 years, Wilma, his oldest daughter, Gail, and his son-in-law, Vern. Rudy was fortunate to marry a second time to Sally, who also precedes him in death. He is survived by his sons, Gary Castle and Keith Laufer, and his daughters, Kimberly Kienbaum and Valerie vonOlnhausen, and a special friend of the family, George Demaris, as well as numerous grand and great grandchildren. He was loved and will be missed every day.

Services will be held at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church in Moses Lake, on Monday, September 14 with a Rosary at 10, and mass to follow. All are invited to celebrate a life well lived at a luncheon at the church hall immediately after mass. Rudy will be laid to rest in Ritzville, Washington, next to his wife, Wilma.
 Please express your thoughts and memories for the family at https://url.us.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/JXnvCNkgKltVqyXPcmf22iy-nfA?domain=kayserschapel.com. Arrangements are under the care of Kayser's Chapel of Memories.