Obituary for Ralph Eugene Rudd

Ralph “Rudy” Eugene Rudd: 80, 130 Arizona Street, Waterloo, died Monday morning, April 5, at his home from congestive heart failure. Memorial services will be held at 10:30 AM on Thursday, April 8 at Maywood Wesleyan Church. Inurnment will be in The Garden of Memories, Waterloo, Iowa. Ralph is survived by his wife, Mary Ann of Waterloo, two daughters, Norma Jean and her husband Gene of West Bloomfield, Michigan and Rita Shaw of Fontana, California, a son Ralph Jr. also of Fontana, a step daughter, Denise Murray and her husband David of Saucier, Mississippi, two step- sons, Neil Roquet and his wife Suzanne of Suwanee, Georgia and Michael Roquet and his wife Ranae of Waterloo, Iowa. Grandchildren, Gail Turner, Fonda Williams, Jeanine McIntosh and Cherise Ward all of Michigan, Ralph Jr.’s children, Jasmine and Ralph III, and Rita Shaw’s children, Brandon, Daniel, Jonathon and Regina all of California, and Zachary and Amanda Roquet of Waterloo and John and Michael Roquet of Georgia. Ralph also was blessed with nine great grandchildren and two great great granddaughters. Ralph was born March 3, 1924, in Louisiana, Missouri the son of Guy and Louise Rudd. He married Mary Ann Mathiason on August 12, 1983 in Waterloo, Iowa. He served his country in the South Pacific Theater in the Army during World War II. Ralph worked at John Deere Tractor Company for 36 years, retiring in 1983. He was a member of Maywood Wesleyan Church and the American Legion Post #138. Rudy will be remembered by his family and friends for the love he had for them, his unlimited knowledge of history and sports, his beautiful smile, joyous laughter and a tender heart which often caused him to shed tears of joy and sadness. He will be missed and forever remembered with love. Memorials may be made in Rudy’s memory to Cedar Valley Hospice, 2101 Kimball Avenue, Waterloo, IA 50702.