Ruden, Walter Nicholas 1921-1945

RUDEN, THILL

Posted By: Janet Schuldt, Volunteer (email)
Date: 1/3/2010 at 12:58:51

LeMars Semi-Weekly Sentinel, April 27, 1945

FOUR LE MARS MEN KILLED IN MILITARY SERVICE PAST WEEK
Billy Bradley, Walter Ruden, Gordon Phipps, Martin Hoffman

Walter Ruden Dies In Accident

Ensign Walter N. Ruden, son of Mr. and Mrs. Joe Ruden, of Alton, was killed in a plane accident while flying a fighter plane at the naval air station at Sanford, Florida, Wednesday morning. Ensign Ruden entered the service in February, 1943.

Ensign Ruden is survived by his parents and the following brothers and sister, Pfc. Silvius, stationed in the South Pacific, Harold and Ray of LeMars, Joe, MaryAnn, Eldon, Erma, Thomas, Cyrilla, Florence and Gene at home.

The body will arrive in Alton on Monday and tentative funeral arrangements have been made for Tuesday morning at St. Mary’s church in Alton. Burial will be in St. Catherine’s cemetery at Oyens.
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The Alton, (Ia.) Democrat, Alton, Sioux, Iowa, USA Thursday, May 3, 1945

Ens. Walter Ruden Killed in Plan Crash in Florida
Big Military Funeral for Flyer Here Tuesday

Ensign Walter Nicholas Ruden, third son of Mr. and Mrs. Joe Ruden residing south of Alton, was killed in an airplane accident at Sanford, Florida on April 25th at 9:55 a.m. according to a telegram from the War Department received by the young man’s parents.

Ensign Ruden received his commission on February 21st at Corpus Christi, Texas after two years of training as a Naval aviator. When his ship crashed he was receiving final training as pilot of a Grumman Wildcat fighter plane and expected in a few weeks to go out with an aircraft carrier. His last letter written April 23rd stated that as he got into the cockpit that morning word had come of a fatal accident at their base, the first in five weeks and the men were all “jitte.”

He was born September 6, 1921, at Oyens, attended St. Catherine’s school there and graduated from St. Mary’s high school at Remsen on May 18, 1939. After his graduation he worked with his brother, Auctioneer Harold Ruden and helped on the farm in the summer until he enlisted in the Naval Air Corps in August, 1942. He began his training at Cornell College, Iowa, on February 3, 1943, and had further training in Texas, Kansas and California.

Ensign Ruden was a bright student of fine character and happy disposition and was loved by all who knew him. His family have the heartfelt sympathy of the community. Surviving are his parents, six brothers and five sisters, namely, Pfc. Silvius in the South Pacific, a veteran of the Paulu and Angar invasion; Harold and Raphael of Le Mars; Joe Jr., Mary Ann, Eldon, Erma, Tommy, Cyrilla, Florence and Jean all at home.

A Military escort arrived with the body of Ensign Ruden Monday morning and a military funeral was held at ten o’clock Tuesday morning in St. Mary’s church here, with burial at Oyens. A detachment of the National guard at Le Mars, of which Harold Ruden is a member, assisted Floyd Post of the American Legion in the military tribute to the young ensign.

Many out-of-town relatives and friends were here for the services, including Walter’s girl friend, Anna Lee Thill of Redwing, Kansas. All places of business were closed and the community paid tribute to another splendid son who has given his life for home and country.