Larry Dean Rudolph, 81, of Arkansas City died at South Central Kansas Regional Medical Center on Friday, November 20, 2020 after a short illness. A private family funeral service is scheduled at Rindt-Erdman Funeral Chapel. Interment will follow in Parker Cemetery. The casket will be open 1:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Monday at the funeral home. Those attending visitation are required to follow all Covid-19 mandates including the wearing of a mask and social distancing. Larry Dean Rudolph was born on October 21, 1939, in Smith County, Kansas, to Floyd Vesper and Freda Frances Lehmann Rudolph. He was the fourth of eight children, and he and his siblings were instrumental in keeping the family farm going. Larry was assigned to milk the cows and gather eggs before going to school. He was reared in Smith County having started his education in a one-room schoolhouse. He graduated from Smith Center High School in 1957. By this time, he was already employed at Boogarts Food Store. He joined the Army National Guard in 1961. His career continued at Boogarts, and he became a store manager. He worked for Boogarts for 25 years before choosing another career path- working on the railroad. Larry started working for Santa Fe Railway in 1979. He retired after 30 years of service in 2009. Larry loved trains and the friends he made working on the railroad. These men and women became his work family and the friendships remained after his retirement. The Ole’ Railroaders could often be found at the donut shop, Graves, Daisy Mae’s, or the casino enjoying breakfast. Larry came to know Jesus as his savior after the death of his younger sister. He was proud of his faith and shared it freely. He was baptized in the Agra River in the late 1940s. He was a regular attendee of First Assembly of God Church in Arkansas City, KS. Larry married Willa Lee Parker in Smith Center, Kansas, on September 3, 1966. They made their home in Smith Center and Ellsworth before settling in Arkansas City in 1972. In their 54 years of marriage, they raised five children. Survivors include, his wife, Willa, of the home, five children, Tammy (Tom) Westhoff of Norwalk, IA, Tonya (Brooks) Barta of Holton, KS, Tim (Michelle) Rudolph of Wichita, KS, Teresa (Scott) Dunagan of Olathe, KS, and Trina (Mike) Lake of Mooresville, IN. His grandchildren were his biggest blessings: Juliana Stahle, Megan (Sam) George, Kiley Westhoff, Mason and Tabor Barta, Trenten (Kayla) Rudolph, Taner (Rosie) Rudolph, Taryn, Jake, and Cade Dunagan, Jack Lake, and Trae and Jastyn Andrea. His one-year old great-granddaughter, Brooklynn Marie Rudolph, brought much joy to him this past year. Other survivors include his mother-in-law, Lennis Parker of Arkansas City, KS; sister, Colleen Ryan of Smith Center, KS; brother, Kelly Rudolph of Salina, KS; brother-in-law Jim Parker of Anchorage, AK; sisters-in-law Shirley Rudolph of Mankato, KS, and Pam Rudolph of Troy, IL. Preceding him in death were his parents, father-in-law, James Parker, brothers Willard (Jerome) Rudolph, William (Billy) Rudolph, and Floyd (Jr.) Rudolph; sisters Phyllis Bargman, and Donna Jean Rudolph; sisters-in-law Leta Rudolph, Connie Rudolph, and Jeanette Parker; brothers-in-law Frederick Bargman and Bill Ryan. Memorials may be made to the First Assembly of God Church Building Fund in Arkansas City, KS, through the funeral home. Arrangements are being made through Rindt-Erdman Funeral Home and Crematory, P.O. Box 756, Arkansas City, KS 67005. Online condolences may be made at www.rindt-erdman.com