Mostly Clear, 49° F
(Nov. 28, 2006)
Rudolph Richard (Rudy) Ley, 86, of Cody died in his home Tuesday, Nov. 28 due to a house fire.
Funeral services are scheduled at 11 a.m. Friday, Dec. 1 at the Christ the King Lutheran Church in Cody. Cremation has taken place.
He was born Aug. 21, 1920, to Jacob and Katherine (Crisman) Ley. He grew up and attended schools in North Dakota during the horse and buggy days. He then moved to Colorado.
He married the love of his life, Irene, Jan. 14, 1942. To this union were born two daughters, Sharon and Kathryn, his very special daughter.
He was drafted into the U.S. Army and served during World War II from 1942-1946. Upon learning that Rudy spoke fluent German, the Army made him an interpreter for Prisoners of War, and it was his role to be among the first to enter concentration camps to seek and help surviving Prisoners of War. He was one of the first soldiers to enter and liberate the Nazi prison camp at Auchwitz.
He was also known as one of the best Army cooks. He received the Purple Heart for injuries received in combat.
After his discharge, he worked for the sugar factories in Colorado.
In 1948, Rudy and Irene and Sharon moved to Powell. He worked as a butcher in a grocery store and then Rudy worked as a plumber for Heasler Plumbing and Heating for 25 years. In 1965, Rudy and family moved to their farm outside Cody where he and Irene farmed until their retirement. He was still milking his cow, feeding his calf and gathering his eggs to sell every day.
He loved to dance — the waltz and polka. Rudy and Irene won numerous dance competitions.
Rudy was a kind and loving person, willing to help his friends and anyone in need. He was always there. He was a loving, caring husband, father, father-in-law, grandfather and friend. He loved all his animals and was always proud to show them.
His family says, “We are all blessed to have been able to share his life, and he will never be forgotten.”
Rudy was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Gottlieb; and his sister, Anna. He leaves behind his wife of 64 years, Irene; his daughter, Sharon (Lyman) Sammons of Lovell, and daughter Kathryn of Powell; three grandchildren, Ty Sammons of Byron, Kyle Sammons of Rock Springs and Keri Sammons of Menan, Idaho; many nieces and nephews; his friends and all the special little ones he and his wife helped to raise over the years.
Cards of condolence may be sent to Irene Ley, c/o Sharon Sammons, 709 Lane 11, Lovell, WY 82431.
