Ruedy, John 1859-1913

RUEDY, KARRAS, KARUS, KNECT

Posted By: Doris Hoffman, Volunteer (email)
Date: 3/3/2013 at 19:42:14

Note: He is buried in Hillside Cemetery. His wife's maiden name is spelled Karras so I put both spellings.

FOUND DEAD IN RAVINE

FARMER HAD GONE OUT TO REPAIR HIS FENCES

SUCCUMBED TO HEART FAILURE

When Parent Did Not Return From Field in Time for Supper Search Is Made and Son Finds Body of Father in Water

John Ruedy, a well known farmer resideng three miles west of Merrill, was found dead in a ravine near his home on Thursday evening. Mr. Ruedy had gone out during the afternoon to fix fences and when he did not appear for supper his family became anxious and a search was institued.

His body was found by his son, H. J. Ruedy, about seven o'clock. It was lying face downwards in a ditch. His arms were folded under him and his head was prone in mud and water.

There is a small spring on the Ruedy farm and from this spring the water runs down through a ravine. As a rule there is very little water in the ditch but on account of the recdent rains there was more than usual. Mr. Ruedy had been fixing fence along this ditch and had apparently been seized with a fainting fit or spell of heart failure while at work and had fallen face downwards into the mud and water and suffocated.

His son dragged the body out of the water and summoned other members of the family and a physician was sent for but without avail as life had been extinct for some time.

Nic Wiltgen, the county coronor, was notified at Le Mars and on request went down to make an investigation surrounging the circumstances of the man's death. An inquest was held, Wm. Karley, J. G. Grebner and E. R. Dennler being empanelled as a jury. after hearing the evidence of members of the family and others the jury returned a verdict of accidental death, finding that the deceased came to his death "by strangulation in the mud and water, face downward."

The deceased was a man of about fifty-four years of age and was a native of Switzerland. He was born at Graubendenon May 10, 1859, and came to America over thirty years ago. He served in the army in his native land.

He was united in marriage in Le Mars twenty-seven years ago to Augusta Kraus and shortly after they moved to a farm near Merrill, which has since been their home. Nine children were born to their union, Mrs. John Albright, George, Mary, Ida, Tillie, Henry, Jacob, Kate, and Clara. The children all live in Merrill and vicinity, the four younger ones at home.

Besides his wife and children he leaves an aged mother, Mrs. Margaret Knect, of Le Mars, and several brothers and sisters, who are Mrs. Julius Karley, of Colorado Junction, Colo., Mrs. Bert Bluimer, of Le Mars, Geo. Ruedy, of Bloomfeld, Neb., and Mrs. Jacob Tanner, of Le Mars.

Mr. Ruedy was a well to do farmer and was highly respected by a large circle of friends and neighbors.

The funeral was held at the First Methodist church in Merrill on Sunday afternoon at one o'clock.

Le Mars Semi-Weekly Sentinel
Tuesday, May 20, 1913
Le Mars, Iowa