Ronald Ludeking

Tuesday, March 5, 2024 7:15 am

Ronald Ludeking, age 88, of Decorah, died Sunday, March 3, 2024, at his home outside of Decorah surrounded by family.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, March 11, at Salem United Church of Christ, rural Waukon, with Rev. Randy Kittelson presiding.  Burial will be in the church cemetery with full military honors where his great nephew Devin Ludeking will play taps.

Visitation will be on Sunday, March 10, from 1 to 4 p.m. at Helms Funeral Home, 306 E. Water St. in Decorah and after 10 a.m. at the church on Monday morning. Helms Funeral Home is handling arrangements.

In ileu of flowers: memorials may go to the family at 2301 360th St., Decorah, IA 52101

Ronald Richard Ludeking was born on June 11, 1935, in Waukon, Iowa, the son of Clarence Joseph Ludeking and Martha Henrietta Charlotte Adam (Ludeking).  He was baptized on July 21, 1935, at Salem United Church of Christ rural Waukon, IA.  Ron graduated from Decorah High School in 1954.  Ron served in the United States Army from 1954 – 1956 where he was stationed in Germany for one and half years.  Shortly after being honorably discharged, Ron returned home to farm and was united in marriage to Georgia Arlene Wernet on Nov. 22, 1959, at First Lutheran Church in Decorah. Together they had four children: Julia, Kathryn, Tammy Sue and Kelly Richard.   He worked as a sales rep for ABS selling semen and filling nitrogen jugs along with inseminating local herds for farmers. He also used and sold oil products for 50 years for Archer Oil and mowed Winneshiek County roadside ditches.

Ron was a member of many organizations and served on many boards over the years: he was a Winneshiek County Farm Bureau Member for 60 years and served on the board for 51 years.  A lifetime member of Salem UCC where he served for 15 years as the cemetery board chairman.  He served on the Winneshiek County Fair Board as a “Green Shirt” for 9 ½ years.  He was a 4H leader and was proud that all four of his children were in 4H.  Ron was a Frankville Twp Trustee for 30 years and with the Winn. Co. Landfill for 28 years.  He was part of the Honor Guard of the VFW where he served many years doing funeral honors and home football games.  Ron was also a member of the Brown Swiss Assoc., the Minowa Dancers and the River and Bluffs Classic Tractors Club.

Ron was proud to say that except for his time in the military, he lived and farmed on his family farm his whole life.

Ron is survived by his children: Julia (Brian) Hageman, Decorah; Kathryn (Kevin) Jankowski, Polk City; Tammy Sue Jacobe, Pomona, Calif.; and Kelly Richard (Diane) Ludeking, Decorah; his grandchildren: Kurt (Melissa) Hageman, Kayla (friend: Jeremy Weiss) Hageman, Mark Jankowski, Devon Jacobe, Megan Jankowski and Tirza Jacobe; great grandchildren: Jack and Graham Hageman; brother: Dervin (Louella) Ludeking, Decorah; sister: Joan (Robert) Reinhart, Pocahontas; sister-in-law: Sally Ludeking, Decorah; along with many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife: Georgia; parents: Clarence and Martha; brother: Arnold; great grandchildren: William Clarence Hageman and Baby Hageman.