Adler, Rudy D. 1916-2011

ADLER, SCHMIDT, LAUX

Posted By: Doris Hoffman, Volunteer (email)
Date: 7/16/2017 at 19:30:42

Le Mars, Iowa - Rudy D. Adler, 95, longtime businessman and former mayor of Le Mars, passed away on Monday, September 5, 2011 at the Brentwood Good Samaritan Village in Le Mars.

A Celebration of Life Service will take place at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, September 9, 2011 at St. John's Lutheran Church in Le Mars. Rev. Greg Gabriel will officiate. Private family burial will take place prior to the service at Memorial Cemetery in Le Mars. Visitation will begin at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, September 8, 2011 at the Mauer - Johnson Funeral Home in Le Mars. The family will be present from 5-8 p.m. with a prayer service scheduled at 7:00 p.m. There will also be one hour of visitation at the church prior to the service on Friday.

Rudy D. Adler was born on February 6, 1916 near Hawarden, Iowa to Fred and Pauline (Schmidt) Adler. As a young child he and his family moved to the Merrill, Iowa area. Rudy was baptized and confirmed at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Le Mars. Rudy attended country school near his home and received his GED while in the military. Rudy enlisted in the United States Navy in 1936 and served until the end of World War II in 1945.

Rudy served on subchasers, cruisers, and destroyer escorts and attained the rank of Chief Petty Officer.

Rudy returned to Le Mars following his years of military service and married Margaret Laux on October 5, 1946 at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Le Mars. In 1949 Rudy and Margaret started Adler Sporting Goods, which they operated until Rudy retired in 1988. Rudy and Margaret spent their retirement winters in Arizona.

Rudy was an active, lifelong member of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Le Mars. As an avid community activist, Rudy served on the Le Mars City Council for 12 years and as Mayor for two years. Rudy also served on the Civil Service Commission, the Park Commission and was a member of the Le Mars Development Corporation. Rudy was an active member of the Le Mars Chamber of Commerce and its Ambassador group. Rudy was a member of Wasmer Post #241 of the American Legion for over 60 years. Rudy was also actively involved as a member of Le Mars Sertoma and the B.P.O. Elks. In recognition of his community service Rudy was named Le Mars Citizen of the Year in 1992. Rudy was instrumental in establishing in Le Mars one of the first recognized Little Leagues west of the Mississippi River. In 2008 Rudy had the privilege of travelling to Washington, D.C. to visit the World War II Memorial as part of the Siouxland Honor Flight. These are just highlights of a life committed to community service and involvement.

Rudy will be lovingly remembered by his wife, Marge of Le Mars, IA; daughter, Christy Dunham and her husband Leonard of Newton, IA; a son, Neal and his wife Jody of Le Mars, IA; a son, Larry and his wife Florrie of Le Mars, IA; grandchildren Seth (Michelle) Dunham, Tate Dunham and Tori Dunham, Cali (Eric) Wright, Stephanie (Chad) Jewell, Eric Mortenson, Ally (Adam) Stein, Luke Adler and Leah Adler; great-grandchildren Quinn, Reese, and Porter Dunham, Georgia and Harriet Jewell, Emma Stein; a sister, Elsie Puetz of Le Mars, IA; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

Rudy was preceded in death by his parents; brothers Fred and Richard, and a sister, Helen.

The family requests that gifts be designated to the Plymouth County Historical Museum or the Le Mars Little League.

Mauer Johnson Earnest Funeral Homme
Le Mars, Iowa