Loyal "Tiny" Dudley

Loyal (Tiny) Ray Dudley, age 89, passed away January 4th, 2021 at
Country Terrace located in Tomahawk, Wisconsin from complications of
COVID-19. He was born at his family home on March 7th, 1931 in
Blackwell, Wisconsin. Tiny married his sweetheart of 75 years, Jordes
Annette Branham on June 24th, 1950. Every night of their 70 year
marriage they fell asleep holding each others hands. Together, they
raised 5 children: Helen (Gary) Rettmann of Stewart, Minnesota; Jack
(Annie Henricksen-French) Dudley of Minocqua, Wisconsin; Craig (Janice
Jelinski) Dudley of Juneau, Alaska; Lisa (James Messineo) Dudley of San
Miguel, California; and, Tricia (Rich) Trottier of Minocqua, Wisconsin.

He is proceeded in death by his mother and father, two brothers Gene and
Jim, and three sisters, Marvel, Irene, and Leila.
He is survived by his wife, Jordes, 13 grandchildren and 28
great-grandchildren.

Tiny attended school in Wabeno, Wisconsin until 10th grade and then
moved to Woodruff, Wisconsin to live with his sister, Marvel Dudley
Vanderhoff. He worked at his father’s sawmill before joining the Army at
16. He left the army in 1949 and married Jordes soon after. Tiny worked
at Pukall Lumber Company full-time until he started working for Jack
Branham Bulldozing. He worked hard all his life for his family and the
results of his work can be seen throughout the Minocqua and Woodruff
communities. A major accomplishment was placing the boulders seen at the
Minocqua Aqua Bowl. Tiny also built many of the roads throughout the
community that are driven on by thousands every day. Another major
accomplishment was preparing drill sites for the United States
Geological Surveyors (USGS) which included building roads, moving drill
rigs, and setting up each drill site. Tiny and his son Jack received a
letter of commendation from USGS for their work.

Tiny was a published author retelling the story of how at age 7 he saved
his brother Gene when Gene’s foot was caught in the railroad trestle on
their way to go fishing. As the train rounded the curve, the engineer
saw the boys and started blowing the whistle. The screeching brakes made
a deafening sound but Tiny was not going to leave Gene. As the train was
halfway across the trestle someone from above helped and with one tug
Gene’s leg was freed. They jumped onto another beam alongside the
tracks, pushing against the ties so they wouldn’t be sucked into the
wheels until the train passed. Neither of the boys told their parents
afraid they would not be able to go fishing again. At age 10, Tiny saved
Billy Mattson when he fell through the ice on a river as they were going
to the store. His beloved dog, Shep, helped him find Billy under the
ice. Tiny used a 10-foot board from an old nearby shed and scooted
himself across the ice to get Billy out of the freezing water. He then
laid him on his belly on a hill and pounded on his back until Billy spit
out water and started to breathe. Tiny took the beating of his life from
his Dad because they weren’t supposed to go onto the ice and couldn’t
sit down for a week. However, he never received another beating after
his Dad heard the truth, that Billy was the culprit and disobeyed their
parent’s warning. He surely had many other acts of heroism and escapades
which he retold many times over but were not documented.

Tiny had many other talents. He enjoyed writing poetry and would put
poems in each kids Easter Baskets. He often wrote of his trips to Alaska
to see his kids and grandkids and the many other adventures in his life.
He was a skilled woodcarver making rattles and toys for his grandkids.
He could build or fix anything. He was a prolific and excellent artist
and drew Disney characters for his kids. He made the best homemade bread
and Divinity candy at Christmas time. Tiny was quick witted until the
very end of his life. His five kids are blessed with his creative gifts
and talents which were passed along to their children. He will live on
through all of them.
Memorial Service for Tiny will be held at a later date.
Online condolences may be shared at nimsgernfuneral.com
NIMSGERN FUNERAL & CREMATION SERVICES IS SERVING THE FAMILY.