Father Thomas J. Rudolph, at the age of 76 and a priest for 51 years, died on Friday, September 14, 2012, in Bakerville, Wisconsin. Father Rudolph was born on September 19, 1935, in La Crosse, Wisconsin, to Ralph and Marie (née Wester) Rudolph. He attended Holy Trinity Elementary School and Aquinas High School, both in La Crosse; the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire; Loras College in Dubuque, Iowa; and St. John Seminary in Brighton, Massachusetts. Father Rudolph was ordained to the priesthood for the Diocese of La Crosse on February 4, 1961, in Christ the King Chapel of Holy Cross Seminary in La Crosse by the Most Reverend John P. Treacy, Bishop of La Crosse. On February 16, 1961, Father Rudolph reported to his first assignment as assistant to Father Chester Zielinski, Pastor of St. Lawrence Parish in Wisconsin Rapids, and also as part-time instructor at Assumption High School there. In August 1962 he was appointed full-time instructor at Assumption with continued residence at St. Lawrence. In June 1963 he was appointed full-time instructor at Newman High School in Wausau with residence at St. James Parish. Effective June 22, 1965, he was appointed assistant to Father Edwin Thome, Pastor of St. Joseph Parish in Stratford. On March 5, 1969, he was appointed assistant to Father Peter Butz, Pastor of Saint Pius X Parish in La Crosse. June 19, 1969, Father Rudolph was appointed assistant to Father James Ennis, Pastor of St. Therese Parish at Schofield. On January 3, 1973, Father Rudolph began his first pastorate at Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish, Keyesville, with the mission parish of St. Kilian, Bear Valley. On April 3, 1974, Father Rudolph was appointed pastor of St. Matthew Parish at Wausau. He was then appointed pastor of St. Joachim Parish at Pittsville and Administrator of North American Martyrs Mission Parish at City Point-Spaulding in November 1975. During his tenure the new church was built at Pittsville. Father Rudolph's next assignment was as pastor of St. John the Baptist Parish at Edgar, 1983-1995; during this period he also served as pastor of Holy Family Parish at Poniatowski from 1988-1993. On August 3, 1995, he was appointed Pastor of St. Joseph Parish at Stratford and St. Andrew Parish at Rozellville, where he served until he was granted the status of senior priest on May 31, 2010. Father Rudolph also served two terms on the Presbyteral Council from 1997 to 2003. In retirement Father Rudolph lived at St. Joachim Rectory at Pittsville and later at Corpus Christi Rectory in Bakerville. The Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Stratford on Wednesday, September 19 at 11:00 AM with Father Joseph Diermeier, Vicar General, presiding. There will be visitation at the church on Tuesday, September 18, from 4:00 to 7:00 PM, with Knights of Columbus rosary service at 6:30 pm followed by an Evening Prayer at 7:00; and on Wednesday morning from 10:00 until the Mass. Burial will be next to his parents in the Catholic Cemetery in La Crosse. The Knights of Columbus 4th Degree Assembly will form an honor guard at the church during the visitation and services. He is survived by one sister, Donna (Finian) Murphy of Albuquerque,NM and two brothers, Gregory (Barbara) Rudolph of Libertyville, IL and James (Veronica) Rudolph of Portland, OR. Father Rudolph was preceded in death by his parents. Members of the Purgatorial Society are reminded to offer three Masses for the repose of the soul of Father Rudolph. Requiescat in pace. The Diocese of La Crosse and the family are being assisted by the Sauter-Rembs Funeral Home in Stratford. Condolences may be sent online to www.rembsfh