Larry Dean Ruchti 1944 - 2024

HAUSCHILDT, RUCHTI, RITCHIE

Posted By: Connie Swearingen (email)
Date: 12/18/2024 at 23:30:36

The Mapleton Press
19 December 2024

Larry Ruchti, 80, of Le Mars, Iowa, passed away Sunday, December 1, 2024, at Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

Funeral service will be at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, December 6, 2024, at the Presbyterian United Church of Christ in Le Mars. Reverend Jan Christensen will officiate. Burial with military honors will be at Memorial Cemetery in Le Mars. Visitation with the family present will be from 10:00 a.m. until service on Friday and following the service during a time of lunch and fellowship, all at the church. Arrangements are with the Rexwinkel Funeral Home in Le Mars.

In lieu of flowers and gifts, memorials can be made to the Parkinson’s Foundation, in care of the family.

Larry Dean Ruchti, the son of Cornelius and Meta (Hauschildt) Ruchti, was born on September 27, 1944, on a farm northwest of Mapleton, Iowa. He attended school in Mapleton and graduated from Maple Valley High School in 1963.

He was united in marriage to Judy Ritchie on September 21, 1963, in Hornick, Iowa. The couple was blessed with a daughter, Susan. Larry and Judy moved to Le Mars in 1964.

Larry was drafted into the United States Army in 1966. In 1967, he was stationed in Lawton, Oklahoma. In 1968, he went overseas and served his country during the Vietnam Conflict. Following his return to the states, he joined the United States Army Reserves. While in the reserves, he took many tours throughout the world. When he retired in 1997, he attained the rank of Colonel.

After returning from Vietnam, Larry went to work for Findberg Furniture and Style Master Furniture in Sioux City. He and his brother-in-law, Dale Tracey, then purchased the upholstery business from Moore Lumber Company in Le Mars in 1970 and started Style-Rite Upholstery. They were partners for several years until Larry took over the business in December of 1979. Larry worked until he sold the business and retired in September of 2004. Following his retirement, he took care of his wife. Judy passed away on November 23, 2009. After her passing, Larry went to work as a driver for the Ford Dealership in Le Mars and also worked for Killeas Investments.

He was a longtime member of the Presbyterian United Church of Christ in Le Mars where he had served as an Elder, Deacon, and Usher for many years. He also made sure the church was unlocked and ready for services on Sunday mornings. He was also a member of the Wasmer American Legion Post 241 in Le Mars. He also enjoyed bowling and participated in league for many years.

Survivors include his daughter, Susan Ruchti of Orlando, FL; a granddaughter, Tiranee (David) Vriezen of Ames, IA; his siblings: Donna Myers of Whiting, IA, Deanna Lawson of Mapleton, IA, Duwaine Ruchti of Dunlap, IA, Bruce Ruchti of Mapleton, IA, and Jeffery (Candi) Ruchti of Swisshome, OR; his sister in law, Debra Ruchti of Onawa, IA; and several other in laws, nieces, and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Cornelius and Meta Ruchti; his wife, Judy Ruchti; his siblings: Cheryl Kay Ruchti, Leon Ruchti, Dennis Ruchti, and Mark Ruchti.

Monona Obituaries maintained by Linda Ziemann.
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