Ludwig, Ronald M. 1921-2016

LUDWIG, STAEBELL, GERST, NATTRASS, ELSBERRY

Posted By: Marjorie Brunsting-Volunteer (email)
Date: 11/9/2016 at 11:47:43

Mr. Ronald Ludwig, age 95, of Alton, passed away on Saturday, October 29, 2016, at the Orange City Area Health System.

There will be a memorial service on Wednesday, November 2, at 3:00pm, at the Dover Avenue Alliance Church in Orange City. The Rev. Jeffrey Keady will officiate. Interment will be prior to the service at the Nassau Township Cemetery near Alton. There will be a family prayer service on Wednesday, at 2:00pm, at the church.

Visitation with the family will be on Wednesday, from 12:00noon to 2:00pm at the church. Arrangements are with the Oolman Funeral Home in Orange City.

Ronald Michael was born on October 17, 1921, at Oyens, Iowa, the son of Frank and Elizabeth (Staebell) Ludwig. He was raised in rural Remsen, where he attended school through the eighth grade.

On January 12, 1948, he married Shirley A. Gerst in Alton, where he was a truck driver for various companies and later operated a business striping parking lots. He also owned and operated the Black Knight Lounge and Steak House in Orange City. Shirley passed away on July 18, 1986, in Rochester, Minnesota, after more than 38 years of marriage.

On October 6, 2007, he married Alice May (Nattrass) Elsberry in Orange City. They also made their home in Alton.

“Ron” was a longtime member of the Dover Avenue Alliance Church and the Veterans of Foreign Wars. He enjoyed golfing and always had a positive attitude.

Survivors include his wife of more than nine years, Alice; five children, Leanne Ludwig, of Orange City; Kathee Ludwig, and her husband, John Crandall, of Burlington, Vermont; Edie, and her husband, Ken Kroon, of Alton; Ron Ludwig, and his wife, Blanche, of New Virginia; and Ellen Bell, and her special friend, Joe Muggie, of Alta; seven grandchildren, Amy, and her husband, Shannon Beecham; Angie Witt; Tom Bell, and his wife, Meghan; Ron Ludwig, Jr., and his wife, Amber; Eric Ludwig; Melissa, and her husband, Scott Sigsbee; and Josh Ludwig; and nine great-grandchildren.

In addition to his parents and first wife, he was preceded in death by a daughter in childbirth; a daughter, Christy, in infancy; twin siblings in infancy; four sisters, Betty Lou, in childhood, Olivia Wiltgen, Marie Kellen, and Dolores Zeig; and five brothers, Cletus Ludwig and Elmer Ludwig, both in childhood, Fritz Ludwig, Gordon Ludwig, and Eddie Ludwig.

Source: Oolman Funeral Home online obituary.