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Obituaries » James L Ruddy

James L Ruddy

June 17, 1951 - November 22, 2021

U.S. Veteran

Service Date: November 30, 2021

Funeral Home Memorial Services of Iowa

Church St. Paul Lutheran Church

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James “Jim” Leo Ruddy, 70, passed away November 22, 2021 at his home in Polk City, IA.

Visitation will be held from 4:00 to 6:30 p.m. on Monday, November 29, 2021 at Memorial Services of Iowa (4208 N. Ankeny Blvd) in Ankeny, Iowa. There will be a prayer service at 6:30 p.m. following visitation. Memorial Service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, November 30, 2021 at St. Paul Lutheran Church (1100 SE Sharon Dr.) in Ankeny, Iowa. Burial will immediately follow at Ankeny Memorial Gardens.

Jim was born June 17, 1951, to Wilma and Edward Ruddy Sr. in Ft. Dodge, Iowa. He attended the Catholic parochial school from kindergarten through his senior year and graduated from St. Edmonds High School in 1970. While in high school Jim was active in football and boxing.

In August of 1970, Jim enlisted in the United States Navy and completed his basic training in San Diego, California. Jim served two consecutive terms in Vietnam, and was given an honorable discharge after two years of active duty in the US NAVY on August of 1972. Jim married LuAnn (Wilshusen) Ruddy on December 5, 1971, and they moved directly to San Diego to finish serving Jim’s time in the US Navy.

In 1972, Jim and LuAnn moved to Urbandale into their first apartment where Jim took employment with City Wide Heating and Air-conditioning. In 1975, Jim started his apprenticeship program for a journeyman in-side wireman with IBEW Local 347 and was an active member and journeyman electrician for 39 years. They then relocated to Polk City, Iowa in May of 1977 where they raised their three children, Jason, Jennifer, and Joe. Jim retired in 2015 and during this time Jim decided to become a bus driver for the North Polk West Elementary.

After moving to Polk City, Jim became an active member of the Polk City Fire and Rescue Department and stayed active for ten years. During that time Jim served as an Assistant Fire Captain. Jim was also involved in many activities for their three children during their school years. Jim coached soccer, helped with little league games, and chaperoned many music bus trips. Jim also served as Youth Counselor on our church board at St. Paul Lutheran Church for the youth group for six years.

Jim loved spending time with family and all of his very special friends. He loved fishing (which included many fishing trips to Canada), deer hunting, getting out to mushroom hunt, gardening (grew the best tomatoes), and just putts’ing outside.

Jim is survived by his loving wife, LuAnn; sons, Jason Ruddy of Johnston, IA and Joseph (Jenny) Ruddy of Ankeny, IA; daughter, Jennifer (David) Chapman of Janesville, WI; and four grandchildren, Macy, Josie, Conor, and Lily.

Jim was preceded in death by his granddaughter, Abigail Sue Ruddy; parents, Edward Sr. and Wilma; three sisters, Delores Hamas, Jean Lake, and Rosemary Ruddy (infant); brother, Edward Ruddy Jr; brother-in-law, Steve Hamas; and nephew, Gary Lake.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to St. Paul Lutheran Church in Ankeny, IA, North Polk West Elementary in Polk City, IA, or John Stoddard Cancer Center (Unity Point) in Des Moines, IA.

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