LINDA RUDD:  WE LOST A DEAR FRIEND
By Sandy Kovak

Linda June Rudd passed away on April 3rd, 1996,  leaving her loving
husband Jim, and three loving children, Mike, Michelle and Matt.  She
will be sadly missed by her family, friends, and anyone who knew her.

Linda always walked around with a smile on her face and was a very
loving and caring person.  If you knew her, you already know that.  She
was a person who always had nothing but good things to say.  Linda
always made time for anyone who needed her.  She spend endless hours
working at tournaments.  I know because she was always with me.
Whenever I had to work at a tournament I would give Linda a call and
she would say "No problem.  Shout when you need me".  When talking with
other people like Barb Pepper and everyone on our lake, they have said
over and over what are we going to do without her.  Our tournament at
Safari Lake and other tournaments are going to feel empty without
Linda.  When things got hectic, Linda always had a way to make it
better, and put a smile on your face.  Waterskiing was Linda's second
love and she knew a lot of the skiers.  She always called the younger
skiers like Doug, Drew, Collin, Jeremy, J.J., and many others "her
kids", and they all called her "Mom".

 As a mother to a skier, I've seen Linda walk the shores when her son
 Matt was skiing, and when it was over, Linda was always very proud of
 him.  I remember one time when Sara went to her first Nationals at
 Skiers Place and fell in slalom.  Sara was very upset and crying.  I
 looked at Linda, and she had tears in her eyes for Sara feeling bad
 for her misfortune.  That's the way Linda was.

I remember the Rudds, Kovaks and Peppers went to Dartmouth, Nova Scotia
for the Easterns.  We all had a great time and that's where Linda
started the saying 3that's nice'.  Linda and Matt went to Florida with
us many times and we had a lot of good times.  One time she took six
rolls of film but when she developed them, she ended up with one
picture of Dave swinging a golf club at Okeeheelee.  We got a lot of
laughs over that one.  There are countless great memories that I could
talk about.  These are but just a few.

Water skiing is going to suffer a great loss without her in Ontario.  I
know that everyone at Safari Lake has lost a great friend, especially
myself.  Think of the last time you talked with Linda.  Didn't she put
a smile on your face?  Linda, you will be missed by everyone.

TRIBUTE
LINDA RUDD
By Barb Pepper

Linda's life was a shining light
Within the world to glow.
A brilliant flame that burned so bright
Wherever she did go.
Linda's life was a fragile flower
That gave love and joy to all.
Linda's life was a gentle song
That comfoted the sad
And helped others to be strong.
Linda's live was a treasured gift
For all who knew and loved her.
She gave with joy and joy was her reward
Though she looked for no rewards.
Through her hands the wind will blow
And her eyes will smile upon the earth.
Linda will never be farther from our lives
Than a thought or a sigh.
And we will miss her so.