RUCKDASHEL, Ara F. (nee Lyman) 1909-1997

RUCKDASHEL, SAWYER, LYMAN

Posted By: County Coordinator
Date: 3/11/2009 at 19:27:06

Ara F. Ruckdashel

ROCKFORD, IOWA - Funeral services for Ara F. Ruckdashel, 87, of Rockford, will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at Zion Lutheran Church with Pastor John Albrecht officiating. Burial will be in the Riverside Cemetery in Rockford.

Mrs. Ruckdashel passed away at Muse Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit, Mason City, on Wednesday, January 29, 1997.

Friends may call after 3 p.m. today at the Schumburg Funeral Home. The family will be at the funeral home from 6 to 8 p.m.

Ara was the daughter of Harvey S. Lyman and Mildred F. (Sawyer) Lyman and was born March 7, 1909, in Mason City. Shortly after her birth her mother died and she was cared for and nurtured by a family friend, Grace Torgeson. Ara attended school and graduated from the Mason City School System. In her younger years, Ara performed for the Cimyotti Circus, riding horses bareback while standing. She was employed in Des Moines, Chicago and St. Louis before returning to the area and marrying James A. Ruckdashel on Feb. 16, 1934. After their marriage they owned and operated Rick's Cafe in Rockford.

Ara has been active in her church, the church circles and was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary since the late 1930s.

She is remembered by her friends for all of the cards she sent on special occasions.

She is survived by her children, Irene Eggena of Mason City; Virgil and his wife, Betty Ruckdashel, of Polson, Mont.; Richard and his wife, Carol Ruckdashel, of Lewiston, Idaho, and Donna and her husband, Luther Follmuth, of Mason City; 18 grandchildren; 40 great-grandchildren; 16 great-great-grandchildren; and a special friend, Ivan Wallbaum of Rockford.

Mrs. Ruckdashel was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, five grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

Globe Gazette - 01/31/1997