Wausau – Rufus (Bud) Allen Gore, 91, of Wausau, passed away on September 27, 2023 at Aspirus Wausau Hospital.

Bud was born on August 15, 1932 in Athens, Wisconsin to the late Raymond Leonard and Anna Mary (Eibl) Gore. He attended St. Anthony School in Athens and joined the Army in 1955 where he attained certification as a SAM Crewman and Nike I Operator at Fort Sheridan, Il. He served actively for 2 years and then in the reserves, with the rank of Sergeant, until 1961. He married Mary Katherine King on October 12th, 1957. They resided in Wausau and later Merrill where they raised their 7 children. Bud took a job with Fleet Farm where he rose to the position of store manager. He served in this capacity for over a decade. He always said "it was a great honor to serve the farmers of his community."

Bud came from the humble beginnings of a log cabin and started school in a one room school house. He carried this humbleness with him throughout his life. He grew up on a farm embracing the life and love of the land and its creatures. His love of farming led him to purchase his own farm in 1969 where he cultivated a very large garden for many years including this past summer. He loved to dance!! He was a member of the Central Wisconsin Polka Club, serving as a board member in the early years of his membership. His love of dancing included sponsoring a Polka dance for his 91st birthday. He loved attending the North Central Wisconsin Antique Steam Show so much that he was a lifetime member. He had an appreciation for people of all cultures, making traveling abroad an important part of his retirement. He visited New Zealand, most of Europe, Canada, Hawaii, Alaska, Mexico, the Virgin Islands and almost every other state in the Union.

He loved to learn and didn't believe that education stopped when schooling ended. He kept current by reading the daily paper and watching several news stations. He was certified by the Madison Business College for Real Estate in 1965, attended the Tech for Agricultural studies and even received certification for Tablet and Internet Literacy at the age of 87! Most recently, he was looking forward to taking more internet classes.

He lived a life of service to others. He was a devoted catholic, often serving as usher and lector at every church he attended. He volunteered at St. Anne's fish fries, AMVETS, the Steam Engine show and cared for the neighborhood cemetery.

Bud is survived by his very special friend Virginia (Virgie) Brodjiski, his children: Anne, Dan (Jan), Bruce (Joni Howell), Wayne (Brenda), Beth (Charles Jr.) Beecher, and Robin (Michael) Phillips; 14 grandchildren, Austin, Patricia, Joseph, Jessica, Melissa, Samantha, Kaitlyn, Andrew, Nathaniel, Michael, Nicholas, Christopher, Ethan, and Andrea; 13 great-grandchildren; as well as his sister Lila Keller and brother Clayton Gore.

In addition to his parents in heaven, Bud will be joining his infant daughter, Elizabeth and beloved son, Thomas; granddaughter, Sarah Gore and grandson, Adam Phillips; a brother, Ralph Gore, and two sisters: Mary Jo Beaty and Lorraine Mroczenski.

Visitation will be at 9:00 AM on Tuesday, October 10th, 2023 at St. Anne's Catholic Parish 700 W. Bridge St., Wausau, WI with a mass to follow at 10:30.

Internment will be held at Maple Grove Cemetery 5355 Naugart Drive, Maine WI, 54452 on Wednesday, October 11th, 2023 at 11:30 a.m. with full Military Honors.

John J. Buettgen Funeral Home is assisting family at this time.  Online condolences may be expressed at HonorOne.com