Ronald Ludwig

Ronald “Ron” Ludwig, 65, passed away peacefully Monday, July 12, 2021, at MercyOne Hospice in Johnston.

A visitation with Ron’s family will be at 9 a.m. followed by a memorial service celebrating his life at 11 a.m. July 31, at Martensdale Community Church. A memorial luncheon will follow in the church fellowship hall.

Ronald Christian Ludwig, the son of the late Ronald Michael Ludwig and the late Shirley Ann Gerst, was born Feb. 12, 1956, in LeMars. He grew up in Alton and attended high school in Granville, where he met his future wife, Blanche Jean Penning.  He then went on to attend college at Briar Cliff in Sioux City and Northwestern in Orange City where he earned a degree in psychology.

On September 9, 1978, Ron was united in marriage to Blanche and to this union had three sons: Ronald Jr., Eric and Joshua. Together they made their home in Sheldon, where he began his career “on a path of passion” working with adults with disabilities, at the Village Northwest. He then moved his family to Kansas where he continued this same line of work for an agency in Medicine Lodge and later Garden City.

In 1987 Ron had the opportunity to return to Iowa where he accepted a job as C.E.O. at Horizons Unlimited in Emmetsburg. In 2007 he changed jobs and started working for a Community Action Agency, Upper Des Moines Opportunity located in Graettinger. A few years later Ron and his wife then moved to an acreage near New Virginia, concluding his final years of work at MATURA, a Community Action Agency in Creston retiring January 2021.

Ron was a part of many boards and organizations including the Emmetsburg Chamber of Commerce, City Council, Board of Trustees, IACP, Little League, Iowa Recycling, Rotary Club in Emmetsburg and Creston, ICAA and others.

When not working you could find Ron enjoying time with family. Whether it was outdoor activities such as camping, hunting, target practice, fishing, and family barbeques; he loved them all, especially the holidays.

Ron was a proud father and loved being involved with his son’s activities such as wrestling and football. He also volunteered as a coach for many years with their baseball and basketball teams. When not coaching everyone knew when Ron was at a game as you could hear him cheering from the crowd. Ron was also a loving and doting grandfather and continued the tradition of following his grandkid’s activities.

Ron quietly passed away to be with our Lord, after being read the 23rd Psalm, on Monday evening July 12, 2021, following a long battle with malignant melanoma. Ron lived 65 years and 5 months. He was preceded in death by his parents.

Ron is survived by his wife of nearly 43 years, Blanche; three sons: Ron Jr. (Amber) of Emmetsburg, Eric (Melissa and her two children, Aiden and Gabe) of Des Moines and Josh (Krystal) of Norwalk; three grandchildren: Jacob, Brynna, and Christian; four sisters: Cathy Ludwig of Vermont, Leanne Ludwig of Remsen, Edie (Ken) Kroon of Alton and Ellen (Joe) Bell of Storm Lake; many nieces and nephews; a host of church family and very good friends.

Ron’s favorite pastime was spending time in God’s word and sharing his faith. We pray he left an impact on many; and will be deeply missed by everyone that knew him.